Ruben Amorim was ‘dissatisfied’ with Andre Onana as his pre-season hamstring injury and substandard performances overshadowed the goalkeeper’s last days at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have faced challenges in securing a top-tier goalkeeper since David De Gea’s final season with the club, as both Onana and Altay Bayindir have failed to deliver the dependable support needed in a struggling team.
Onana’s loan transfer to the Turkish club Trabzonspor is anticipated to be finalized shortly. The Super Lig transfer window remains open, and reports suggest that the necessary agreements have been established.
United are expected to commence Sunday’s derby against Manchester City with a debut goalkeeper, 23-year-old Senne Lammens. The Belgian has been recognized as the answer to what has become a problematic position for the Red Devils.
Onana’s exit is a temporary arrangement, and he is under contract with United until 2028; however, correspondent Laurie Whitwell from The Athletic views this as the conclusion of his career at United.
“Although it is a straight loan, he is effectively ending his United career with this switch,” writes Whitwell. “An Old Trafford return after a season of Super Lig football is highly unlikely.”
While Amorim had reportedly promoted Bayindir to first choice at Onana’s expense, neither was able to pin down the place with anything approaching competence in the early part of 2025-26.
The United hierarchy weren’t planning to sign a new goalkeeper until Amorim’s frustration with Onana grew in pre-season.
“Amorim’s strength of personality can be seen again in Onana’s exit from United,” reports Whitwell.
“Circumstances changed when Onana returned for pre-season. His hamstring injury, picked up on the first day at Carrington, and an expectation that he would remain No 1, left Amorim dissatisfied.
“Despite expecting to play, Onana was left out of the squad to face Arsenal, and Amorim kept him on the bench against Fulham and Burnley either side of the blunders [against Grimsby Town] at Blundell Park.”
With Lammens signed and Onana on the way out, United will hope they can look forward to playing with a more reliable stopper in the Premier League this season.
Onana’s moments of madness continue
Former Ajax and Inter Milan goalkeeper Onana has been making headlines for negative reasons during the international break.
Cameroon suffered a narrow defeat against Cape Verde in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday, a result that propelled the Blue Sharks four points ahead in the competition for a World Cup berth, while Cameroon, currently in second place in their group, is at risk of elimination before the second round of CAF qualification.
Onana was considered responsible for Dailon Livramento’s goal. The United goalkeeper remained on his line after Livramento managed to get behind the defense, allowing the Casa Pia forward an uncomplicated finish.
He subsequently found himself in a confrontation with an unhappy supporter.
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