André Onana’s Return
This Saturday night, André Onana will find himself back at the site of one of the most challenging moments in his tumultuous career with Manchester United. In front of the passionate and sometimes hostile Galatasaray fans, Onana made two significant errors during a 3-3 draw, which dashed United’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stage of the Champions League. The Galatasaray supporters even unfurled a banner that read, “Your nightmare is back again,” perfectly capturing the distressing memories of that evening, which sealed his fate among many United supporters.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper arrived at Old Trafford with a stellar reputation following his impressive performances at Inter Milan, landing him a much-anticipated transfer. However, Onana’s time at United was marred by mistakes, leading to his inevitable departure to Trabzonspor this summer. His mission in Türkiye? To revitalize his career. As he walks onto the RAMS Park field this weekend, Onana aims to erase the shadows of that fateful match.
André Onana: Insights from Türkiye
His pre-season preparations were hindered by injury, and it became clear that his time at United was coming to an end, especially when Ruben Amorim opted for Altay Bayındır as his starting goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Manchester United sought a deal for Senne Lammens, who has settled in well at Old Trafford, prompting Onana’s loan move to Trabzonspor. Upon his arrival, he faced challenges as Trabzonspor fans were discontented with the sale of their star goalkeeper, Uğurcan Çakır, to Galatasaray.
Onana made his debut against Fenerbahce just days after joining the Turkish club, and despite the loss, he showcased his talent. Since then, he has consistently improved, displaying remarkable performances in the Süper Lig, significantly contrasting with his time at United. With a save percentage of 77.8%, one of the highest in Europe, he has won over the Trabzonspor faithful, earning the nickname ‘the wall.’ He has recorded two clean sheets, contributing to Trabzonspor’s impressive form, currently sitting second in the league with four consecutive wins, just ahead of their upcoming match against leaders Galatasaray.
To understand Onana’s standing in Türkiye, we consulted Sinan Yener, Transfermarkt’s Süper Lig expert. “Onana brings confidence to his teammates and fans,” Yener stated. “While he made some errors during his time at Manchester United, he has significantly improved at Trabzonspor, showcasing focus and leadership, quickly becoming a fan favorite.”
Yener elaborated: “Trabzonspor is enjoying a strong season in the Turkish Süper Lig, and Onana has been a key player in this success. He rarely makes mistakes and strengthens the team’s defense. This weekend, all eyes will be on Onana again when Trabzonspor takes on Galatasaray. He has history with them from his Champions League stint with United, where he made critical errors. This time, however, he will step onto the pitch donning the Trabzonspor jersey, and fans are hopeful he won’t repeat those mistakes.”
Looking Ahead: André Onana’s Future
Onana’s impressive performances in Türkiye bode well for Manchester United, who aim to sell him permanently next summer. Even after his loan concludes, he will still have two years remaining on his contract at United, where he commands a substantial salary. His salary expectations may deter some potential suitors, and the club will seek a significant fee for him, with his market value estimated at €20 million. Despite Trabzonspor’s interest, it seems unlikely he will remain past this season, as Yener suggests.
“The club wants to keep him long-term, but that hinges on United’s asking price,” Yener noted. “While many Trabzonspor fans hope for him to stay, it’s uncertain if that will materialize. The club’s management would like him for next season, but their budget constraints might pose a challenge. Trabzonspor has never paid more than €7 million for a player; for instance, they opted for a lower price for Paul Onuachu, buying him for about €6 million. If Manchester United sets a price tag of €15-20 million, it will be quite challenging for Trabzonspor to afford him.” As Onana begins his journey at Trabzonspor, the early signs are positive, and he has a chance to set the record straight in a place filled with difficult memories this Saturday night.
