INEOS forced to accept cut-price exit for “exceptional” United star after major U-turn – report

Manchester United have agreed a new loan deal with Trabzonspor for Andre Onana, although this agreement will include a fee, which reflects the goalkeeper’s dramatic fall from grace. From Hero to Zero Arriving at Old Trafford as the third most expensive goalkeeper in history, the £47.2 million spent to sign Onana from Inter Milan has proven to be one of the worst pieces of business in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Described as “exceptional” by Pep Guardiola in the build-up to the Champions League final with Inter Milan, the Cameroon international was expected to transform United’s ability to play out from the back under Erik ten Hag. Three years on, the Dutchman is without a club, having been dismissed by INEOS in October 2024 and then sacked again by Bayer Leverkusen after just two months. The Red Devils are now practically giving Onana away for free. After spending last season on loan at Trabzonspor, the Turkish club were eager for the 30-year-old shot-stopper to remain at Papara Park. However, a deal initially seemed unlikely, as United were pushing for a permanent transfer. Despite the Black Storm finishing third in the Süper Lig and winning the Turkish Cup, they lacked the financial strength to match the £19 million required for the Red Devils to avoid a negative PSR impact by selling Onana. However, in a damning indictment of Onana’s descent from one of Europe’s best goalkeepers to one of its worst, United have now compromised and accepted Trabzonspor’s loan proposal, as no better offers were likely to arrive this summer. Every Penny Counts As explained by The Peoples Person here, Trabzonspor have agreed to another season-long loan. The deal does not include a buy option, though it is expected to provide full wage coverage. Onana’s salary is set to increase once the Champions League bonus is triggered – a standard clause in contracts at Old Trafford – which presented another obstacle to securing a permanent transfer. Furthermore, Samuel Luckhurst (The Sun) now reveals Trabzonspor have also agreed to pay a €1.5 million (£1.3m) loan fee for the year. In the space of three years, Onana has gone from joining England’s biggest club for a fee approaching £50 million to being forced to join a side outside the traditional ‘big three’ in Türkiye on a £1.3 million loan. While something is better than nothing for the Red Devils, who are attempting a major overhaul of Michael Carrick’s squad this summer with a particular focus on midfield, it is another reminder of how much the club are being affected by mistakes of the past. Featured image Ahmad Moura via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.