Football General Manager
- Onana may be back for Everton clash on August 3
- Injured hamstring in pre-season training
- United linked with Villa’s Martinez
In a boost for both Onana and United, the 29-year-old’s injury may not be as serious as initially feared, report The Mirror who state the injury is a hamstring strain rather than a tear. Onana is set to travel out to meet the squad for their Premier League Summer Series fixtures in the USA and reportedly may be in contention for a return to action in his side’s third fixture of the tour, taking place in Atlanta against Everton on August 3.
United have been linked with Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez for a number of weeks amid rumours that the Argentine World Cup winner is open to a new challenge. Onana is believed to want to stay at Old Trafford, but an extended injury lay-off could have given the Cameroon international a more difficult task to regain the No. 1 shirt if a new goalkeeper was brought in.
United’s links with Martinez remain strong but, as it stands, deputy Altay Bayindir is expected to feature in Onana’s absence during pre-season. Third-choice Tom Heaton recently signed a new one-year contract with the club, meaning one of Onana or Bayindir may be required to depart if a new goalkeeper is brought in.
The former Ajax and Inter Milan goalkeeper may face a battle on his hands to remain first-choice at Old Trafford for much longer, regardless of his injury. This may be a make-or-break season for the much-criticised shot-stopper if Ruben Amorim does decide to give him another chance when United return to Premier League action, beginning with Arsenal‘s visit on August 17.
