Andre Onana joins Trabzonspor on loan after a disappointing spell at Manchester United. Signed to replace David de Gea, Onana struggled with consistency and errors. The move offers him a fresh start, while United looks to new goalkeeping options like Senne Lammens.
Andre Onana's tumultuous spell at Manchester United has taken an unexpected turn as the Cameroonian goalkeeper joins Turkish side Trabzonspor on loan for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The move, finalized just before the Turkish transfer window slams shut on Friday, brings an end to Onana's frustrating time at Old Trafford, where he failed to live up to the expectations that accompanied his £47.2 million transfer from Inter Milan.
Onana's arrival at Manchester United in July 2023 was heralded as a significant upgrade to the goalkeeping department, with then-manager Erik ten Hag handpicking him to replace the long-serving David de Gea. However, the transition proved far from seamless, as Onana struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. His performances were riddled with errors, costing United valuable points and drawing heavy criticism from fans and pundits alike.
The 29-year-old's struggles were further compounded by Manchester United's overall struggles as a team. The Red Devils endured a difficult 2024-25 campaign, finishing a disappointing 15th in the Premier League. Onana was often left exposed by a porous defense, but his own mistakes only exacerbated the team's woes. Despite making 102 appearances for the club and being part of their 2024 FA Cup-winning side, Onana never managed to win over the United faithful.
The writing was on the wall for Onana when he was excluded from United's opening three Premier League games this season. Manager Ruben Amorim, who replaced Ten Hag, clearly had reservations about the Cameroonian's abilities and opted to explore other options. The deadline-day signing of Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for an initial 21 million euros (£18.1m) plus add-ons further signaled Onana's impending departure.
Manchester United acknowledged Onana's departure with a brief statement, wishing him "good luck" in his new endeavor. However, the club's swiftness in offloading the goalkeeper suggests that they were eager to cut their losses and move on from what has been a costly and ultimately unsuccessful experiment.
For Trabzonspor, the acquisition of Onana represents a significant coup. The Turkish side are looking to bolster their squad and challenge for the Super Lig title, and they believe that Onana's experience and shot-stopping abilities will be valuable assets. However, the goalkeeper will need to rediscover his confidence and form if he is to make a success of his time in Turkey.
The move to Trabzonspor offers Onana a fresh start and a chance to rebuild his reputation. Away from the intense scrutiny and pressure of Manchester United, he may be able to recapture the form that made him one of the most sought-after goalkeepers in Europe. However, he will need to prove that he has learned from his mistakes and is capable of performing consistently at a high level.
Manchester United, meanwhile, will be hoping that their new goalkeeping options, including Lammens, Altay Bayindir, and Tom Heaton, can provide greater stability and reliability between the posts. Amorim faces a crucial task in finding the right formula and restoring confidence to a defense that has been far too vulnerable in recent times.
Only appearance for Onana this season came in their shock Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two Grimsby
The question remains: What went wrong for Onana at Manchester United? Was it a lack of confidence, tactical incompatibility, or simply an inability to handle the pressure of playing for one of the world's biggest clubs? Whatever the reasons, his time at Old Trafford will be remembered as a disappointment, and both player and club will be hoping for better fortunes in the future.