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Manchester United have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to loan André Onana to Turkish side Trabzonspor, although the final call now rests with the goalkeeper himself.
What’s driving this move?
- Falling down the pecking order: Onana has been overtaken by Altay Bayindir under manager Ruben Amorim and was further edged out with the signing of Senne Lammens, pushing him firmly into fourth choice.
- Limited game time: He has featured only once this season—in a Carabao Cup tie against Grimsby Town—where his errors contributed to United’s early exit.
- Better financial package in Turkey: Trabzonspor’s loan offer likely includes signing-on bonuses and incentives, potentially giving him a short-term financial edge over his current earnings at United.
- Need for playing time ahead of AFCON: With the African Cup of Nations coming up, Onana may prefer regular football—and the move could offer that opportunity.
What the deal looks like
- Verbal club-to-club agreement is in place, but no loan fee or option to buy appears to be included.
- Onana’s approval is key: His decision will ultimately determine whether the move goes through.
Implications for United
- With Onana potentially departing, manager Ruben Amorim would be left with Bayindir, seasoned veteran Tom Heaton, and newcomer Lammens as the goalkeeping options—a configuration that raises questions about experience and readiness at the back.
- If finalized, the move would free up squad space and reduce wage strain, while providing Onana with valuable match minutes elsewhere.
Overall, the move seems driven by Onana’s search for consistent game time, compounded by his reduced role at United and the club’s refreshed options. What happens next entirely depends on whether he opts in.
