Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Turkish side Trabzonspor for the loan of goalkeeper André Onana. The 29-year-old, who joined United in 2023, has found himself on the fringes this season and is understood to be open to sealing the move before the Turkish transfer window closes on Friday.
Onana has slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford after losing his starting place to Altay Bayindir. His only appearance this campaign came in United’s Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby, where his errors contributed to the 2-2 draw before a dramatic 12-11 penalty shootout loss. With minutes limited and confidence low, the opportunity in Turkey could provide him with the regular football he is seeking.
The potential departure comes in the wake of United’s €21m capture of Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day. Head coach Ruben Amorim now has four goalkeepers at his disposal: Bayindir, Onana, Tom Heaton, and the newly signed Lammens. However, Onana’s likely involvement with Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations later this year initially made Amorim comfortable with retaining extra cover. Trabzonspor’s late interest has altered that stance, opening the door for a move.
If Onana does leave, the situation could leave United exposed between the posts. Bayindir, despite his promotion to first choice, has just seven Premier League appearances and has been inconsistent. Veteran Tom Heaton, now 39, has not featured in a league game since January 2020 with Aston Villa. Lammens, though promising, has never played in English football and will need time to adapt.
For Onana, the loan represents a chance to reignite his career after a challenging spell in Manchester. For United, the decision carries risk, particularly with multiple competitions ahead and the possibility of injuries or suspensions. The coming days will determine whether the move is finalized, but the development marks another twist in the club’s goalkeeping reshuffle.
