Sophia
Manchester United’s goalkeeping saga has taken another dramatic turn, with reports suggesting the club has reached a verbal agreement with Turkish side Trabzonspor for the surprise exit of André Onana. While the clubs may have a deal, the final decision rests squarely with the Cameroonian international, whose future at Old Trafford has been shrouded in uncertainty for months.
The potential move comes amidst a chaotic start to the season for United’s goalkeeping department, prompting significant changes and raising questions about manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans.
Onana’s Rocky Start to the Season
Onana, who was the starting goalkeeper last term, spent much of pre-season recovering from a hamstring injury. Despite being fit enough to make the bench for the opening fixture of the new campaign, Ruben Amorim opted to start Altay Bayındır in each of United’s first three Premier League matches.
Bayındır’s performances have been less than convincing, yet Onana’s return to the starting XI for a Carabao Cup tie against fourth-tier Grimsby Town offered little reassurance. The former Inter No. 1 was notably at fault for one of the goals as the plucky hosts secured a famous upset on penalties, further fueling speculation about his form and future.
A Crowded Goalkeeping Department
This tumultuous start to the season prompted Amorim to sanction the arrival of young Belgian shot-stopper Senne Lammens on Deadline Day. United now boast a quartet of senior goalkeepers: Onana, Bayındır, Lammens, and veteran Tom Heaton.
This number is typically one more than most modern squads can comfortably accommodate, making the prospect of offloading one of the goalkeepers a logical step for the Red Devils. Fabrizio Romano enthusiastically reported that Trabzonspor had reached an informal agreement with United to take the Cameroon international on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
Onana’s Choice: Trabzonspor Beckons
While the two clubs appear to have settled on terms, Onana’s personal stance on the situation remains undisclosed. Unless he sanctions the move, he will remain at Old Trafford until January at the earliest. The transfer window for Turkish clubs remains open until Friday, September 12, giving Onana a crucial window to assess his options.
The 29-year-old still has three years remaining on his lucrative United contract, which also includes an option for a further year. Trabzonspor, who finished seventh in last season’s Turkish top flight and missed out on European qualification (much like United this season), are in urgent need of a new shot-stopper. They recently sold their first-choice goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır to defending league champions Galatasaray.
The ball is now firmly in Onana’s court. Will he embrace a new challenge in Turkey, or will he opt to fight for his place at Old Trafford? The coming days will reveal the next chapter in this intriguing goalkeeping narrative.
For the latest transfer news and rumors from the world of soccer, keep an eye on our Sports Illustrated FC feed.
Published 3 Minutes Ago by Grey Whitebloom
Grey Whitebloom is a writer, reporter and editor for Sports Illustrated FC. Born and raised in London, he is an avid follower of German, Italian and Spanish top flight football.
