Anger has largely given way to acceptance among Manchester United supporters, as the recent FA Cup penalty shootout loss to Fulham was met with a sense of inevitability by those at Old Trafford.
The United fans deserve commendation for their unwavering support, even in the aftermath of this latest disappointment for Ruben Amorim and his team. The Stretford End came together to offer encouragement to a dejected Joshua Zirkzee, who failed to convert the crucial penalty.
This missed opportunity further diminishes the club’s prospects as they approach the final months of a challenging season, with all hopes now resting on the Europa League in an effort to achieve an unlikely qualification for the Champions League.
Given the recent setback, advancing to the quarter-finals of the continent’s secondary competition appears to be a formidable challenge, and there is a genuine risk that the season may conclude without any significant achievements.
Consequently, focus will shift to the upcoming summer transfer window, which will necessitate another vital overhaul of the squad at the Theatre of Dreams. Critical decisions will need to be made across all positions, beginning with the goalkeeper.
Andre Onana’s performance vs Fulham
Andre Onana can take some pride in his performance against the Cottagers in the previous match, having made several crucial saves that allowed the game to progress to penalties, including an impressive dive to thwart Emile Smith Rowe’s curling attempt.
Regrettably for the home team, the seasoned goalkeeper was significantly less effective during the penalty shootout, executing a series of “early” dives, as highlighted by journalist Daniel Storey, which provided a considerable advantage to Marco Silva’s squad.
Not only did the former Inter player fail to come close to any of the four penalty attempts from the visiting team, but he also frequently attracted the frustration of the crowd at the Theatre of Dreams for his prolonged goal-kick routines, as the Cameroonian appeared to be in no rush to expedite the game, even when a winning goal was urgently needed.
| How Onana compares to PL goalkeepers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat | Record (per 90) | Ranking |
| Goals against | 1.44 | Top 44% |
| Save percentage | 67.3% | Bottom 32% |
| Save % (penalties) | 25% | Top 26% |
| Clean sheet % | 25.9% | Top 34% |
| Touches | 40.67 | Top 27% |
| Avg. length of goal kicks | 46.6 | Top 31% |
| Crosses stopped | 5.8% | Bottom 50% |
| Defensive actions outside area | 0.67 | Bottom 18% |
| Stats via FBref | ||
Following his contribution to both of Ipswich’s goals earlier in the week, the 28-year-old, who has committed three errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season, did not enhance his standing on Sunday evening. It is somewhat unfortunate that Amorim lacks a capable substitute, especially after losing both Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton to injuries.
While Onana’s immediate position may appear secure, and he seems inclined to remain in Manchester for the 2025/26 season, it is essential to consider the possibility of a change in goalkeeping personnel. Recent reports indicate that Amorim is seeking a new first-choice goalkeeper.
Should the former Ajax player depart this summer, it would not be surprising if he were accompanied by Rasmus Hojlund, who also joined the club nearly two years ago.
The Man Utd star who looks finished under Amorim
There were noticeable groans directed at Onana due to his reluctance to restart the game; however, the club’s number 24 was not the only player facing criticism that day, as young Hojlund also received ironic jeers upon his exit from the field shortly after the hour mark.
The struggling forward, who has now gone 18 matches without scoring in all competitions, appeared lackluster against his fellow countryman Joachim Andersen, having notably sent a rare shot wide during the first half.
Remarkably, that attempt constituted one of only nine touches recorded by the Dane throughout the match. He lost possession five times, failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles, and won just one of five duels.
Acquired for £64 million in the summer of 2023, the former Atalanta striker concluded the previous season as United’s leading scorer with 16 goals across all competitions. Nevertheless, a total of 23 goals in 73 appearances for the club represents a relatively modest return for such a significant investment.
The ongoing struggles of the 21-year-old were further highlighted by the dynamic performance of his substitute, 17-year-old Chido Obi, who was significantly more engaged in attacking play.
Indeed, the former Arsenal youth player sent a shot wide after skillfully maneuvering past Calvin Bassey in the penalty area and had a close-range effort saved by Bernd Leno from a tight angle.
These missed opportunities underscored the new arrival’s raw potential, but his ability to create chances for himself—unlike Hojlund—was particularly noteworthy. He also demonstrated greater effectiveness in hold-up play, achieving an 80% pass accuracy rate and successfully completing all of his dribbles.
Obi is unfortunately ineligible to participate in the Europa League, as he was omitted from United’s revised squad list last month. This situation ensures that Hojlund will continue to be the only centre-forward option for Amorim for the duration of the competition.
However, this temporary reprieve for the more experienced striker may not last long. With increasing interest from Serie A clubs as the summer approaches, a swift departure could be imminent for United’s number nine.
There is certainly potential, as Hojlund demonstrated last season, but having recently been overshadowed by a less experienced teenager, it appears that the £85k-per-week player may be running out of time under Amorim.