- Onana is currently on loan at Trabzonspor
- Cameroonian keen to fight for his place
- Contract at Old Trafford runs until 2028
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is still hopeful to fight for his career at Old Trafford. The Cameroonian is currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor, who are in contention for the Super Lig title.
Onana’s loanee club sit in third place, battling with Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Only three points separate Trabzonspor from the top of the table with seven games to go.
Onana is the first-choice goalkeeper and has started in every league match for the club since joining in September.
The former Inter Milan shot-stopper’s only appearance for United this season was the humiliating EFL Cup Second Round loss to Grimsby Town, where the Red Devils lost 14-13 on penalties.
Onana has not given up on Old Trafford career
According to The Athletic, Onana ‘has not given up’ on his United career. He was brought in as David De Gea’s successor from Inter Milan, following an impressive spell in Italy. The goalkeeper had displaced then-captain Samir Handanovic from the team. The Slovenian, who is now retired, criticised Onana‘s character in 2023.
The former Ajax goalkeeper’s performances in Turkey have been mildly inconsistent. Keeping clean sheets have also been a rarity. Despite that, Trabzonspor have been happy with his overall performance and would be keen to keep him. However, it is the player’s desire to play in Europe and use his time in Turkey as a confidence booster.
Speaking a few weeks ago, the club Vice President said: “The price offered by Manchester United for Andre Onana’s purchase was in the €45-50million range. Onana’s intention is to continue playing for a European club, if not in England. His family also thinks that way. However, if the circumstances change, the situation will change.”
In any case, it is unlikely that Trabzonspor will be able to afford the player based on his current wages and United’s valuation. He currently earns around £120,000 a week, and United will want to recoup as much of the £43.8m they paid for him in 2023.
Is it time to look elsewhere?
Despite the permanent manager’s name still being unknown, it is highly unlikely that Onana would be preferred. His history as De Gea’s successor was not short-lived because of any antics, but rather his performances. Countless blunders in his first season single-handedly cost the club crucial points in the Premier League and Champions League.
At United, Onana would face a battle against Senne Lammens, who has established himself as United’s first-choice. It would be a big surprise to see Onana reclaim that spot, given that Lammens has brought minimal disruption to the side. Additionally, his composure between the sticks has given the defence stability ahead of him.
The goalkeeping situation is one area that the Red Devils are settled on. It is evidence of an astute business move by INEOS that has worked favourably for the club in a cost-cutting era. It is the sort of trailblazing signing that the hierarchy will want to replicate in other areas of the pitch. Taking that away from Lammens now would derail something much bigger than just shoehorning a big-name like Onana back into the side.
