Manchester United and Turkish club Trabzonspor have reached a verbal agreement for the loan of goalkeeper André Onana, with the player reportedly open to finalising the move before the closing of Turkey’s transfer window this Friday.
Onana has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford, losing his starting role to Altay Bayindir.
His sole appearance this season came in a dramatic Carabao Cup match against Grimsby Town, where he was blamed for both goals in a 2–2 draw that ended in a penalty shootout defeat.
Adding to the complexity of United’s goalkeeping situation is the recent arrival of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for approximately €21 million (£18 million).
With Lammens, Onana, Bayindir, and Tom Heaton all in the squad, manager Ruben Amorim had been comfortable with the competition—especially since Onana is expected to be away for up to six weeks during the Africa Cup of Nations in mid-December—but Trabzonspor’s interest appears to have shifted the calculus.
Nevertheless, United’s goalkeeping depth may be tested.
Bayindir has featured in only seven Premier League fixtures and has struggled with errors, while the experienced Heaton last played top-flight football in January 2020, and the youngster Lammens is yet to play in England.
Onana’s Track Record: Inter Milan vs. Manchester United
Onana joined Manchester United in mid-2023 from Inter Milan for a reported £47 million. While his reputation shines from his time in Europe, his career has hit notable turbulence since the move.
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At Inter Milan: Over 24 Serie A appearances, Onana accumulated 62 saves, kept 8 clean sheets, and conceded 24 goals.
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At Manchester United: In 72 Premier League games, he has made 239 saves, kept 18 clean sheets, and allowed 102 goals—averaging approximately 1.42 goals conceded per game.
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Overall league career: Across the top-five European leagues, Onana has recorded 26 clean sheets in 96 league appearances, conceding 126 goals and making 301 saves. In 45 UEFA Champions League matches, he has 16 clean sheets, 54 goals conceded, and 157 saves.
Though numbers from Inter suggest solid form, his Manchester United tenure has been overshadowed by defensive frailties, costly errors, and declining consistency.
Onana’s time at United has been marred by criticized performances. Reports indicate he has made nine errors leading directly to goals—the highest among Premier League keepers since his arrival—and carries one of the lowest clean sheet and save percentage rates for a United goalkeeper with significant minutes.
Despite this, club legend Edwin van der Sar has defended him, pointing to Onana’s elite athleticism, ball skills, and established pedigree. He urged fans and the club to focus on broader systemic issues rather than scapegoat the keeper.
If finalized, Onana’s loan to Trabzonspor could leave United dangerously short at the back.
Bayindir’s inexperience and susceptibility to mistakes, Heaton’s age and long absence, and Lammens’ lack of experience in English football all raise concerns over reliability between the posts.
