Manchester United Goalkeeper Andre Onana Agrees Loan Move to Trabzonspor

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana during the EFL Cup defeat by Grimsby

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has agreed to join Turkish side Trabzonspor on loan, with the deal expected to be finalized in time for him to make his debut against Fenerbahce on Sunday, September 14.

The Turkish transfer window remains open until Friday, giving both clubs time to complete the move. Onana, currently on international duty with Cameroon, had also been linked with Galatasaray, but they instead opted to sign Ugurcan Cakir.

Cakir, who featured in Turkey’s World Cup qualifying victory over Georgia, joined Galatasaray from Trabzonspor on September 2 in a deal worth up to €36 million (£31.2m). With his departure, Trabzonspor turned their attention to alternatives and identified Onana as a potential key signing.

Manchester United have been considering goalkeeper exits since signing Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on transfer deadline day. Although club officials indicated they were open to carrying four senior goalkeepers, head coach Ruben Amorim has favored a streamlined squad given the lack of European football this season. United’s current senior options include Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, and Lammens.

Onana theoretically ended last season as United’s first-choice keeper after starting the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. However, he suffered a hamstring injury during pre-season, missing all warm-up matches, and was overlooked for the club’s opening three Premier League fixtures in favor of Bayindir.

The Cameroon international did start in United’s shock EFL Cup second-round defeat to League Two side Grimsby, where he was at fault for the opposition’s second goal. Signed from Inter Milan in 2023 for £47.2 million, Onana was a key target for then-manager Erik ten Hag, who had previously coached him at Ajax.

Despite his high-profile arrival as David de Gea’s replacement, Onana has struggled to settle at Old Trafford. A series of costly errors led to him being dropped for the Premier League defeat at Newcastle in April, though he was quickly recalled for United’s 5-4 Europa League quarter-final victory over Lyon.

The 29-year-old now looks set for a fresh start in Turkey, where Trabzonspor hope his experience and shot-stopping ability can have an immediate impact.