Andre Onana has sealed a temporary switch to Turkish club Trabzonspor after his situation at Manchester United dramatically declined. The Cameroon international, once signed to be the Red Devils’ first-choice goalkeeper, slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford after the late-summer signing of Belgian shot-stopper Senne Lammens. With Lammens immediately favored as second choice, Onana faced the prospect of being relegated to the role of third keeper—a position he was unwilling to tolerate. To avoid a prolonged standoff, both the club and the player swiftly agreed to a short-term loan deal, allowing him to continue his career in Turkey for the remainder of the season.
Onana had joined United in the summer of 2023 with great expectations. Erik ten Hag personally identified him as the ideal successor to long-serving Spaniard David de Gea, praising his ability to play out from the back and his confidence with the ball at his feet. However, things never truly clicked for the Cameroonian in England. His debut campaign was overshadowed by a string of high-profile errors, most notably in the Champions League group stage, where several costly mistakes contributed to United’s premature elimination from the tournament.
As his form faltered, so did the faith placed in him. Supporters grew increasingly frustrated, and when Ruben Amorim arrived as United’s new manager, patience quickly ran thin. The shock Carabao Cup exit at the hands of lower-league side Grimsby Town proved to be the breaking point. That defeat accelerated United’s pursuit of Lammens and cast serious doubts over Onana’s long-term role at the club.
Despite his struggles, Onana has remained defiant when questioned about United’s poor results. Speaking to CNN Turkey after completing his move, he argued that responsibility in football should never be pinned on one individual. “This is not tennis or boxing,” he explained. “When a team wins, mistakes are often overlooked, but when a team loses, every small error gets magnified. Victories and defeats belong to everyone, not just one player.”
Still, Onana expressed gratitude toward United fans, acknowledging the connection he felt with them. “The Manchester supporters are special to me,” he said. “I will always wish them well, because I only want the best for the club.”
The goalkeeper has already made his debut for Trabzonspor, starting in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Fenerbahce. Despite the scoreline, he impressed with a composed display, offering encouragement for what lies ahead. At 28 years old, Onana views this loan move as a chance to reset his career and prove his worth again. “The road won’t be easy, but I’m ready for the challenge,” he commented. “We’ll win games and we’ll lose some, but I am focused on having a strong season here. I see myself as a modern footballer, one who can adapt to whatever the team requires.”
His next opportunity to showcase that adaptability and resilience comes in Trabzonspor’s upcoming clash with Gaziantep on September 20. For Onana, the match represents more than just three points—it’s another step toward rebuilding his confidence and reigniting a career that many had prematurely written off at Old Trafford.
