Manchester United believed they had recruited a revolutionary figure in Andre Onana in the summer of 2023, when the 29-year-old replaced the long-serving David de Gea. Although he had moments of brilliance, such as a spectacular double save against Fenerbahce in the Europa League, his time in England was underwhelming.
Onana arrived amid much excitement, given the hopes that he would be able to help the Red Devils embrace a more possession-based style of play. He had just helped Inter Milan reach the Champions League final the season before, where they lost 1-0 to Manchester City, but his poise in between the posts helped him become one of the most sought-after goalkeepers in international football.
However, under Ruben Amorim’s tutelage, Onana continued his tendency of making a slew of high-profile errors, and as a result, he dropped down the pecking order and was sent out on loan.
Altay Bayindir was playing between the sticks instead of the former Ajax goalkeeper before Senne Lammens was bought from Royal Antwerp for a mere £17 million, and the writing was on the wall: there was no more room for Onana at the Theatre of Dreams.
On the surface, switching Old Trafford for Papara Park may have appeared an odd option for Onana – but, as he tries to adjust to new circumstances, how have his first few months in Turkey gone? We’ve looked at the game’s statistics, as well as what Trabzonspor fans think of their charismatic shot stopper.
Andre Onana: Career Statistics
Club
Games
Goals were conceded.
Clean sheets.
Ajax
214
192
85
Man United
102
150
24
Inter Milan
41
36
19
Trabzonspor
6
6
2
Inside Onana’s Beginning of Life in Turkey
When Onana was signed by Erik ten Hag at Manchester, the lack of consistency – from the powers that be upstairs to on the pitch – made it difficult for him to adjust. In his defense, injuries disrupted a disjointed back line, but that doesn’t mean he was without flaws. In April, it was announced that Onana had made eight errors that resulted in goals across all competitions since the start of 2024/25.
That was the most of any goalie in the Premier League, and his errors frequently put Amorim’s United under unnecessary pressure.
With a change in goalkeepers in the horizon, he was loaned out to Trabzonspor. So far, the glovesman’s experience on Turkish land has been positive for all parties involved. He’s played six games in the Turkish Super Lig, conceding only six goals and keeping two clean sheets.
Onana was thrown into the deep end to make his competitive debut, starting between the sticks in his current club’s match against Fenerbahce, who were second in the table at the time. He faced a large number of shots (29!) and made eight saves. However, his sloppy parry, which was converted by Youssef En-Nesyri, overshadowed his overall performance.
The 52-cap Cameroon international, who piqued the interest of Old Trafford officials during his time at San Siro with Inter Milan, most recently preserved a clean sheet as Trabzonspor defeated Eyuspor 2-0 on home turf. Onana, looking to improve his reputation in the football community, produced four saves on the occasion, and his passing was reminiscent of his days in the Italian capital.
Calm and composed, 30 of his 35 attempted passes (86%) were accurate, and 11 of his 16 attempted long balls (69%) found an open teammate. Since the start of the 2025/26 season, Onana has only conceded one goal per game, as shown below. In terms of being proactive, he’s made 3.5 saves per match. Overall, he’s been a decent addition to Trabzonspor’s roster.
Faith Tekke’s Trabzonspor team is now on a four-match winning streak, and Onana’s decisiveness, as well as his ability to create huge moments, have been critical to their rise up the league table. If he continues to produce at this level, United will be able to reclaim a larger portion of the £47.2 million they paid for his signing two years ago.
Trabzonspor fans praise Onana following his recent performance.
During his time at United, Onana became a laughing figure among fans, who were fed up with his never-ending blunders. Moving to Turkey at the age of 29, which is quite young for a goalie, provided him with a fresh start, and Trabzonspor supporters embraced him with open arms. They are overjoyed with his start at the club.
Fans are begging with Trabzonspor and Onana to negotiate an agreement by the end of the 2025/26 season to ensure that he stays permanently. “Please my dear Onana, you better remain here and don’t go back to Manchester United please.”
Signing from the same hymnsheet, another fan said, “The goalkeeper is extremely good; make him permanent! Do not let him go without being made permanent.”
https://www.instagram.com/trabzonspor/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=ff77208d-eecc-428c-95ee-5f5cd43038b6
As previously stated, Onana was unable to leverage the spotlight at Old Trafford to establish himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the world. His best performance came with Inter Milan, and some fans believe he is on the verge of resuming that form. Simply stated, someone wrote, “The man returned to his Inter time.”
“Brother, you were great today! “I felt like watching the old Onana again.”
“So happy you’re with Trabzonspor,” a fourth member of the Papara Park crowd remarked, before a final fan made a daring claim about the Cameroonian. “The best in the Super League,” they stated. Onana and his colleagues are now second in the Turkish Super Lig after ten league games. Only Galatasaray, who lead by five points, is doing better.
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