Manchester United Are Passing Up on the Easiest André Onana Upgrade Ever

Manchester United have, thus far, decided not to activate their matching rights to bring back goalkeeper Matej Kovář, per Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

Instead, the 25-year-old Czech international is set to join PSV Eindhoven in a €5 million deal, with an additional €2 million in bonuses and a sell-on clause agreed with Bayer Leverkusen. The deal is complete pending United’s final green light, but all indications suggest the club will step aside.

And in doing so, they may be making yet another critical error in the goalkeeper department.

Kovář Is the Real Deal

Let’s not mince words here: Matej Kovář is already one of the best young goalkeepers in the Bundesliga, and his stock is only rising. The 25-year-old starred in Leverkusen’s historic, undefeated domestic season under Xabi Alonso, stepping in as a reliable and occasionally spectacular shot-stopper during key DFB-Pokal and Europa League moments.

He was particularly brilliant in Leverkusen’s Pokal run, earning plaudits for his control of the penalty area, distribution under pressure, and reflex saves. He may not have been the everyday starter due to Lukáš Hrádecký’s seniority, but every time Kovář was called upon, he delivered with poise and purpose.

His underlying stats back it up. According to FBref, Kovář boasted a save percentage above 75% in all competitions last season and ranked among the top keepers in Europe in post-shot xG minus goals allowed per 90, suggesting his shot-stopping was outperforming expectations.

Onana Not the Answer

Meanwhile, Manchester United are clinging to a declining asset in André Onana, who, after a calamitous debut season filled with high-profile errors, now faces a fresh injury concern. Onana ranked among the worst Premier League goalkeepers last season in terms of save percentage, and repeatedly cost United points with sloppy handling, poor positioning, and erratic decision-making.

If there were ever a summer to make a change—or at least create competition: this was it. And the opportunity was right in front of them.

United held a matching clause for Kovář after selling him to Leverkusen just one year ago.

With the Bundesliga champions agreeing to let him go for a similar figure, it should have been an open-and-shut case: buy back the keeper, install him as competition or even a replacement, and protect the most vital position on the pitch.

Instead, United are pulling out, content to roll with an inconsistent starter and no clear Plan B.

A Missed Opportunity of the Highest Order

Matej Kovář may not have the name recognition yet, but he is already a better option than Onana—younger, sharper, more focused, and with the potential to become elite. Letting him walk to PSV, a Champions League-caliber club that clearly values his upside, could be the kind of decision United regret for years.

There are easy wins in football. This was one of them. And Manchester United just walked away.