Fabrizio Romano maintains there is no truth to reports that Manchester United could replace Andre Onana with AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The fact that Romano feels obligated to address such rumors is likely a reflection of Andre Onana’s rocky start at Old Trafford.
Since his last-gasp penalty save against FC Copenhagen, the £47 million summer transfer from Inter Milan appeared to have turned a corner. But, after two high-profile gaffes against Galatasaray, with Onana almost single-handedly costing Manchester United their Champions League spot, the term ‘one step forward, two steps back’ comes to mind.
For the time being, however, there is no evidence that Onana is already fighting for his Red Devils’ future. Erik ten Hag praised the Cameroon international late last week, while Romano claims that speculations connecting teammate glovesman Mike Maignan to a move to Manchester are false.
Andre Onana has Manchester United’s backing
“I wanted to start by clarifying some Manchester United transfer rumours involving a new goalkeeper signing, with some fans asking me about the reports linking them with AC Milan’s Mike Maignan,” Romano tells Caught Offside.
“Man United invested 55 million euros on Andre Onana in the summer. So there’s nothing else in terms of targets or negotiations. Zero.
“Man United are not working on a deal for Maignan and, also, the player is very happy at Milan. There’s really zero to this story at this stage.”
Mike Maignan was a target but no longer
According to The Athletic, Manchester United personnel traveled to Italy in the spring as Milan faced Inter in the Champions League semi-finals, exploring a deal for Onana while also speaking with Maignan.
United immediately put the former ahead of the latter in their quest of a replacement for David de Gea, with the Rossoneri wanting nearly twice as much as Inter did for Onana. Milan paid an eye-watering £85 million for Maignan, probably the best shot-stopper in the world last season.
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