André Onana exits Manchester United after troubled two-year spell

WEB DESK: André Onana has left Manchester United to join Trabzonspor on loan, drawing a line under a turbulent two years at Old Trafford that never lived up to expectations. The move comes as new manager Ruben Amorim reshapes his squad and highlights the club’s ongoing struggles with recruitment and long-term planning.

Signed for nearly £50 million from Inter Milan in 2023, Onana was brought in as David de Gea’s replacement, ending the Spaniard’s 12-year United career. De Gea had recorded 190 clean sheets in 545 appearances, averaging more than one every three games, and his consistency made him a fan favourite. Since leaving, he has maintained that standard at Fiorentina in Serie A, further underlining doubts about United’s decision to let him go.

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Onana’s time in Manchester was defined by inconsistency. While he kept 24 clean sheets in 102 matches, his high-profile errors often overshadowed those numbers. Supporters recall his costly mistakes in key fixtures, most notably the Europa League final against Tottenham. For Amorim, who values reliability as much as ball distribution, the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens this summer was the final indication that Onana’s future lay elsewhere.

United’s decision to prioritise a goalkeeper comfortable with his feet over one with traditional shot-stopping ability has been heavily criticised. Rival clubs appear to be reversing that trend, with Manchester City opting for Gianluigi Donnarumma after selling Ederson, signalling a return to basics: goalkeepers must first and foremost keep the ball out of the net.

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Amorim, who only worked with Onana for half a season, frequently faced questions about his form. After a costly giveaway against Viktoria Plzen, he admitted the team’s build-up play left them exposed but stopped short of singling out his goalkeeper. Following an embarrassing FA Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby, where Onana was again at fault, Amorim defended him publicly, insisting mistakes can happen to any player. However, when Onana was eventually dropped, Amorim’s assurances of confidence felt more like diplomacy than conviction.

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The Cameroonian international now heads to Turkey seeking a fresh start, while United continue their search for stability. His departure is another reminder of the costly misstep in letting De Gea leave, a decision that has haunted the club’s fortunes ever since.