Revealed: Andre Onana left Ruben Amorim fuming with new Man Utd contract request after reporting for pre-season - but Monaco priced out of bidding for calamitous goalkeeper

Questions were already being asked of the Cameroon international’s future at that stage, with two error-strewn seasons being taken in between the posts at Old Trafford. United were mulling over moves for a new No.1.

Onana did little to enhance his standing in the eyes of club bosses when stating a desire to discuss fresh terms. He was looking for a new deal after being stung with the standard 25 per cent wage cut that hit all players on the back of failure to secure Champions League qualification.

The Athletic claims that Onana’s request “did not go down well with Amorim”, with the 29-year-old goalkeeper going on to suffer an untimely hamstring injury that ruled him out of summer friendly preparations.

It was suggested that Onana did not return in the right physical condition, leading to his fitness setback, but no efforts to find a buyer were made at that stage. That situation changed quickly, with United being heavily linked with a raid on Aston Villa for World Cup-winning Argentine Emi Martinez.

Monaco are said to have made a tentative enquiry regarding Onana’s availability, but were put off by United’s £30 million ($40m) asking price. The Cameroonian’s representatives were told that they did not need to find a suitor prepared to part with that fee.

Onana was, however, benched at the start of the 2025-26 campaign - as Altay Bayindir filled starting duties - before putting in another forgettable display against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup. United went on to sign Belgian shot-stopper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day, potentially leaving Onana in limbo until at least the January window.