Under-pressure United boss Rúben Amorim faces a pivotal call in Europe as doubts grow over Andre Onana’s future at Old Trafford.

In a season riddled with inconsistency and off-field upheaval, Manchester United’s goalkeeping dilemma has emerged as an unexpected flashpoint—one that could define manager Rúben Amorim’s early tenure at Old Trafford.

Until recently, Andre Onana’s struggles had been overshadowed by broader issues at the club, from tactical uncertainty to ownership changes. But the £47.5 million summer signing—brought in under a previous regime—has become a lightning rod for criticism. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently alluded to Onana’s acquisition as one of several “inherited” deals contributing to the £400 million still owed in unpaid transfer fees, part of what he described as a long process of “getting the house in order.”

Yet Onana’s status took a hit after former United midfielder Nemanja Matic branded him one of the club’s “worst-ever goalkeepers.” That sting was compounded by two high-profile errors in last week’s 2-2 Europa League draw against Lyon—renewing the question of whether Amorim should drop his first-choice keeper ahead of Thursday’s return leg.

Amorim will undoubtedly face the question at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference: will Onana retain his spot, or will understudy Altay Bayindir step in for the decisive quarter-final clash?

The choice—if revealed—will be consequential. While Onana was omitted from the starting lineup in the recent Premier League loss to Newcastle, that decision carried minimal risk. With United’s domestic season effectively over, barring a late and unlikely push for a Europa Conference League spot, resting Onana was a relatively low-stakes move.

Thursday, however, presents a different challenge. The stakes are higher, the spotlight brighter. Whoever Amorim benches—Onana or Bayindir—may very well be on their way out of Old Trafford come summer. In a worst-case scenario, both could depart, adding further strain to a transfer budget already under scrutiny.

It’s a headache United’s leadership didn’t anticipate when they brought Amorim in from Sporting last November. But now, as the season edges toward its conclusion, the decision in goal could shape the manager’s future—and define the next chapter in United’s ongoing rebuild.

How did it come to this?