Figures close to Old Trafford were left “surprised” by Andre Onana’s decision to leave Manchester United on loan rather than stay and fight for his place, according to a report.
Fallen Down the Pecking Order
Onana, 29, is set to complete a season-long loan to Trabzonspor – currently second in the Super Lig – this week after an agreement was struck with the Red Devils.
The Turkish transfer market shuts on September 12 – this Friday – but there is full expectation the deal will be ratified in time for Onana to debut for his newly adopted side this weekend.
Trabzonspor face a grudge match against Fenerbahce on Sunday, just hours after the Manchester Derby kicks on at the Etihad, a game Onana would have expected to start during United’s pre-season tour of the United States.
But Ruben Amorim, who has demonstrated a ruthless streak since arriving at Old Trafford to replace Erik ten Hag in November, decided to begin the new campaign with Altay Bayindir as his number one, relegating Onana to the bench.
Neither goalkeeper has impressed this season, however.
Bayindir has cut a shaky figure in the Premier League while Onana produced an abysmal performance in his only start – the penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, where the Cameroon international almost single-handedly knocked United out.
These poor performances led United to reverse the decision not to target a new goalkeeper this summer, and a deal for Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens was aggressively pursued in the final days of the window.
It was a plan with full unity amongst United’s executive structure, having been agreed between Amorim and sporting director Jason Wilcox, and then ratified by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
An approach was also made for Aston Villa and Argentina number one, Emiliano Martinez, but this was exploratory, with the full focus on Lammens – a player highly rated by the recruitment department after a superb season in the Belgian Pro League last year.
And, in the final hours of deadline day, an agreement was struck with Antwerp for the 23-year-old Belgian shot stopper to become United’s fifth senior signing this summer, after Diego Leon, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
Prior to this, however, United had informed Onana he remained a key part of the squad after his representatives questioned his place in Amorim’s plans.
But the arrival of Lammens further reduced the Cameroonian’s role at Old Trafford with four senior goalkeepers at Old Trafford, including veteran Tom Heaton.
Amorim is believed to be focusing on Bayindir and Lammens as his two primary options in goal, with Onana set to struggle to even make the matchday squad this season.
This uncomfortable reality led the 29-year-old to pursue an exit from the Theatre of Dreams, despite the English transfer window having slammed shut, with a move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia the only viable options.
And it was Trabzonspor who moved quickest to secure Onana’s signature on loan – a decision which calls into question whether he will ever wear a Manchester United shirt again.
It constitutes a dramatic fall from grace for a player described by Pep Guardiola as an “exceptional goalkeeper” after Onana’s impressive performances in the Champions League for Inter Milan just two years ago.
A Surprise Decision
Laurie Whitwell reveals figures “close” to Old Trafford were “surprised” at Onana’s decision as it is “effectively ending his United career”.
“Some people close to United are surprised that Onana, 29, elected to leave, rather than try to fight for his place or wait until other European clubs could move for him in the winter market,” the Athletic reporter writes.
“Although it is a straight loan, he is effectively ending his United career with this switch. An Old Trafford return after a season of Super Lig football is highly unlikely.”
It is a crucial year for Cameroon, however, with the Indomitable Lions competing in the African Cup of Nations this winter and hoping to qualify for next summer’s World Cup.
Onana will know the important of first-team minutes at club level to secure his position internationally, particularly given his previous controversies with the national squad.
Furthermore, the goalkeeper is set to earn double his current salary once he completes the switch to Trabzonspor, due to a signing on fee, bonuses, and a more favourable tax rate in Turkey.
Whitwell reveals he had hoped to discuss the terms of his contract this summer – an approach which angered Amorim.
“[Onana] had wished to discuss his salary with United since his salary was cut from £170,000 per week to £120,000 per week (roughly £67,000 per week after tax) due to the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League after his first campaign. He has people who depend on him in Cameroon, where he has opened the Andre Onana Foundation.”
United will look to agree a permanent exit for Onana next summer where he “should attract a broader spectrum of suitors”.
But this will depend heavily on him rebuilding his once excellent reputation across Europe as an elite goalkeeper in Turkey this season – an image which has been decimated within English football since his arrival from Inter Milan in 2023.
Turkish journalist Engin Kehale reveals there will be “some pressure” on Onana as he is replacing fan favourite Ugurcan Cakir, who joined Galatasaray for £31 million last month, with some supporters “sceptical” of the United loanee.
“Many fans were sceptical,” Kehale states. “But Onana ticks plenty of boxes: strong under pressure with his distribution, a high ceiling, and the potential to be a difference-maker if he adapts well.
“There’ll be some pressure on Onana. If he can start well, the fans will adopt him very quickly. Trabzon is a very emotional city and their ups and downs are quite fast.
“They started well and until Cakir’s transfer, the mood was quite good. They will have a positive feeling about Onana joining because they want to get over the Cakir deal as soon as possible, but he has to start well.
“This was a timely opportunity for Trabzonspor and Onana, and I expect him to do well. Whether Trabzonspor can mount a genuine title challenge remains uncertain. Against the two heavy spenders from Istanbul, their chances look slim.”
From United’s perspective, the club will be hoping Onana can regain a level of performance he was unable to replicate at Old Trafford to facilitate a permanent exit next summer – a prospect the goalkeeper appears resigned to himself, based on the decision to leave for Turkey this season.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
