When Manchester United signed André Onana in the summer of 2023 for around £47 million, the expectation was clear: a modern, ball-playing goalkeeper to usher in a new era at Old Trafford. Just over two years later, the Cameroon international is on his way out, with United agreeing a loan move to Turkish side Trabzonspor. His departure closes a turbulent chapter that raises bigger questions about the club’s direction and decision-making.
A Promising Start That Never Took Flight
Onana arrived with a reputation forged at Ajax and Inter Milan,, where his distribution and command of the box stood out. At United, however, the weight of expectation quickly turned heavy. High-profile mistakes — misjudging crosses, errors in Champions League group matches, and costly slip-ups in domestic games — began to define his tenure. Each misstep chipped away at the confidence of teammates and fans alike.
The Erosion of Trust
What should have been teething problems instead snowballed into a crisis of confidence. Nemanja Matić, once a teammate, even branded him among the worst goalkeepers in United’s history. Managerial faith wavered. By early 2025, new boss Rúben Amorim regularly preferred Altay Bayindir, and the summer signing of Belgian prospect Senne Lammens effectively sealed Onana’s slide down the pecking order.
Tactical and Financial Fault Lines
Beyond individual errors, Onana seemed an uneasy fit in Amorim’s system. While capable with the ball at his feet, his inconsistency undermined United’s attempts to build from the back. Off the pitch, financial factors worsened the situation. United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League triggered a 25% wage cut, and a request for a new contract was turned down. With the club under Profit and Sustainability Rules pressure, Onana became a dispensable asset.
A Costly Gamble
Supporters have also questioned the club’s decision to part ways with David de Gea for free, only to invest heavily in a replacement who never truly convinced. The optics of Onana’s struggles, combined with his salary demands, left the hierarchy with little choice but to sanction a move.
What Next for Onana?
For the 29-year-old, a loan to Trabzonspor could provide a reset — a chance to rediscover confidence away from Old Trafford’s unforgiving spotlight. For United, his exit offers short-term financial relief but also serves as a cautionary tale of recruitment missteps and the brutal spotlight that comes with life at Manchester United.
Conclusion
André Onana’s United career may be remembered less for his ball-playing promise and more for the errors that eroded trust. His departure underscores a larger truth: at Old Trafford, reputations can unravel quickly, and without consistency, the weight of expectation can crush even the most talented players.