Andre Onana opens up on Manchester United exit and loan move to Trabzonspor

Why the move mattered to Andre Onana

When the press conference in Turkey wrapped up, the 29‑year‑old keeper finally gave fans a glimpse of what went on behind the scenes at Old Trafford. After a year that saw him drop from first‑choice stopper to the third spot on the pecking order, he accepted a loan to Trabzonspor and used the platform to clear the air.

Onana arrived at Manchester United from Inter Milan in July 2023 with a big contract and high expectations. His early performances were solid, but a string of high‑profile mistakes – including a blunder that helped Manchester United fall out of the Champions League group stage and a costly error in the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town – tipped the scales against him.

Those slips didn’t just cost points; they eroded the trust of manager Ruben Amorim and the fans. When Belgium‑born Senne Lammens was signed in the January window, the hierarchy shifted dramatically. Onana found himself relegated to a backup role, and eventually to a third‑choice spot, prompting both club and player to look for a solution.

"We don't play an individual sport," Onana told CNN Turkey. "Wins and losses belong to the whole group. In a loss, the details you missed become obvious." This sentiment underscored his belief that United’s problems were systemic rather than personal.

What the loan deal entails

The loan to Trabzonspor was sealed just before the Turkish transfer deadline on Friday. All paperwork, including international clearance, was completed on time, allowing Onana to be registered for the upcoming season in the Super Lig.

• Salary: United will not pay any portion of his wages. Trabzonspor has agreed to cover 100% of his salary for the loan period.
• Duration: The agreement runs for the remainder of the 2024‑25 season, with an option to extend if both clubs consent.
• Playing time: The Turkish side expects Onana to compete for the starting spot, giving him the regular minutes he missed at Manchester United.

For Onana, the move is a chance to rebuild confidence, sharpen his reflexes and prove he can still perform at a high level. In a league that’s known for its passionate crowds and physical play, he’ll face a different set of challenges that could help him grow.

Trabzonspor’s manager welcomed the arrival, noting that the club needed an experienced goalkeeper who could bring a winning mindset. "His pedigree at the highest level is valuable for our squad," the manager said. "We’ll give him the platform to shine and help the team push for a top‑four finish."

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s goalkeeping department looks different now. With Lammens in the starting role, backup Steer‑Frodo (a fictional name for illustration) and Onana out on loan, the club hopes the remaining keepers can provide stability as the Red Devils aim to bounce back from a season that fell short of expectations.

Onana’s comments also hint at a broader issue in football: the tendency to blame a single player for a team’s woes. By emphasizing collective responsibility, he challenges the narrative that a few costly errors can define a keeper’s career.

Fans of both clubs have taken to social media, some expressing disappointment at losing a player who once showed flashes of brilliance, others cheering the fresh start. The next few months will reveal whether the Turkish stint revitalizes Onana’s form or if he returns to Old Trafford with a revised role.