Goldbridge: Onana Staying Shows Man Utd Have Learned Nothing

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·18 juin 2025

Goldbridge: Onana Staying Shows Man Utd Have Learned Nothing

Onana Staying at Man Utd: Goldbridge Blasts Club’s Incompetence

Mark Goldbridge, host of The United Stand podcast, has delivered another trademark rant, this time in response to reports that André Onana will remain at Manchester United. Citing a piece from The Athletic, Goldbridge didn’t hold back in criticising the club’s handling of transfers, leadership and communication with fans.

“It’s June the 17th and we’re getting briefs that we’re keeping Onana,” Goldbridge scoffed, questioning the competence of the Manchester United leadership, particularly CEO Omar Barada. “This club ain’t fit for purpose. They cannot sell players.”

Player Power Still Dominates at Old Trafford

At the heart of the podcast episode was Goldbridge’s frustration with what he described as “PR FC.” Despite reports that manager Rúben Amorim and his team do not see Onana as part of their plans, United appear unable to move him on.

Vidéos OneFootball

“United want him gone, but they can’t get rid of him,” Goldbridge said. “So we’ve got to put up with another season of a goalkeeper who basically plays volleyball, palming it back into danger.”

This blunt assessment reflects growing dissatisfaction among fans with both player performance and boardroom ineptitude. Goldbridge underlined that Onana’s apparent staying power is emblematic of a club unable to assert control over its own squad strategy.

“We’re still a football club where if a player wants to stay, they stay,” he continued. “We’re still Player Power FC because Amorim and Willcox do not want him.”

No Faith in Barada’s Vision

Much of Goldbridge’s criticism centred around Omar Barada’s recent statement on Project 150, the club’s aim to win the Premier League by 2028. Interviewed by Andy Mitten, Barada expressed optimism about achieving this lofty goal in “two or three transfer windows.”

Goldbridge was unimpressed. “I’m tired of this. I actually just want realism,” he insisted. “This is the CEO that’s presided over the worst period in our recent history… and you’re talking about winning a Premier League.”

Goldbridge’s scepticism wasn’t rooted in cynicism, but a demand for honesty. He drew a scathing comparison between Barada and previous executives, calling them all “the same.”

“You may as well replace Omar Barada with Richard Arnold or Richard Arnold with Ed Woodward.”

Fans Want Transparency, Not PR Spin

One of the podcast’s strongest moments came as Goldbridge questioned why United keep spinning positive narratives when the reality is so stark.

“You’re right at the bottom of the mountain and you’re already putting the flag on the top,” he said, calling for leadership that acknowledges the club’s true state.

Rather than discussing Premier League titles in three years, Goldbridge suggested a more grounded target.

“We’ve got to talk about in the next 12 months, can we get back into Europe?”

Goldbridge called for what many fans are demanding: transparency, accountability and realism. “We’ve got to reflect. We’ve got to look at ourselves,” he urged, before slamming the club for misleading supporters. “There is no point putting projections out there about winning titles and lying to fans because all that’s going to lead to is more mistrust and more anger.”

Another Season, Same Mistakes?

As the club seemingly braces for another year with Onana between the posts, fans are asking serious questions. The podcast pulled no punches in criticising the broader systemic issues, not just isolated player decisions.

“This is not what we want. You’re talking about the biggest prize when we’re at the lowest point.”

In classic United Stand fashion, Goldbridge mixed passionate critique with a deep sense of care for the club’s direction. His conclusion was simple yet powerful: “We have to accept our mistakes. We have to hold our hands up and apologise for that and we have to say we’ve got to be better.”

Whether or not Onana stays, what’s clear is that the club must change its approach to communication, transfers and leadership if it hopes to rebuild both trust and trophies.