Manchester United and Trabzonspor have verbally agreed on a loan deal for André Onana, and the goalkeeper is reportedly open to joining before Turkey’s transfer window closes on Friday.
Onana has been displaced as first choice this season by Altay Bayındır. His only start for United came in their Carabao Cup penalty shootout loss to Grimsby, a match that ended 2–2 in regular time, with Onana at fault for both goals conceded.
The final terms of the deal are still being negotiated before Onana makes his decision.
On transfer deadline day, United completed the €21 million (£18 million) signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp to bolster their goalkeeping options. With Lammens, Onana, Bayındır, and Tom Heaton, manager Rúben Amorim now has four keepers in the squad.
Amorim had been comfortable with the depth, especially as Onana is likely to be called up by Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations and could be unavailable for up to six weeks from mid-December. However, Trabzonspor’s interest in the 29-year-old prompted a shift in his stance.
If Onana does leave on loan, United could face a shortage of reliable options. Bayındır has made just seven Premier League appearances and has shown a tendency for errors, while the 39-year-old Heaton last played in the league for Aston Villa in January 2020. Lammens, aged 23, has no experience in English football.
Upon signing, Lammens said: “To be a good goalkeeper, you have to be a rock behind the defence. Your teammates need to trust you and rely on you in tough moments—that’s something I take pride in. One of the most important qualities for a goalkeeper is staying calm under pressure, no matter what happens. Even if you make a mistake, you move on and give your best for the team.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the reported verbal deal between Manchester United and Trabzonspor for André Onana
General Beginner Questions
Q Is André Onana leaving Manchester United
A Not permanently The reported deal is for a loan meaning he would temporarily play for Trabzonspor for a season after which he is expected to return to Manchester United
Q What is a loan deal in football
A A loan is a temporary transfer where a player moves to another club for a set period The players registration remains with their original club but they play for the new club
Q Has the deal been officially confirmed
A No Reports indicate a verbal agreement has been reached This is a preliminary step before the clubs finalize and officially announce the deal which involves signing contracts
Q Why would Manchester United loan out their starting goalkeeper
A This is a key question It suggests the new manager may not see Onana as the longterm number one and is looking for a different profile or that the club wants to save on his salary while they reassess their options
Advanced Detailed Questions
Q What does a verbal agreement mean Is the deal done
A A verbal agreement means the main terms have been agreed upon in principle by the clubs However the deal is not officially done until all paperwork is signed and medical exams are passed
Q Who will be Manchester Uniteds goalkeeper if Onana leaves
A This is the immediate followup question The current backup is Altay Bayndr United would likely need to sign a new experienced firstchoice goalkeeper before the transfer window closes
Q What are the financial benefits for Manchester United in this loan
A The main benefits are that Trabzonspor would likely cover a significant portion if not all of Onanas substantial wages for the season saving United millions of pounds
Q Is there an option or obligation for Trabzonspor to buy Onana at the end of the loan
A This is a crucial detail that is not yet clear from initial reports An option to buy would give Trabzonspor the right to purchase him while an obligation
