Manchester United's push for Champions League qualification could inadvertently make it harder to offload Andre Onana, with a return to Europe's elite competition set to trigger a pay rise for the Cameroon goalkeeper. Onana is currently on a season-long loan at Turkish club Trabzonspor, having departed Old Trafford in the summer following a difficult spell as United's No 1.
The loan deal contains no option or obligation for Trabzonspor to sign him permanently, meaning he is due to rejoin United in July. However, his salary was reduced by 25 per cent after United failed to qualify for European competition for the 2025-26 season. If United, who currently sit third in the Premier League, secure a Champions League spot, players' wages will revert to their original levels, making Onana a more expensive asset to move on.
United have been content to let Onana leave, but the prospect of his increased wages has reportedly raised concerns among club figures. Meanwhile, summer signing Senne Lammens has established himself as the club's first-choice goalkeeper since arriving from Royal Antwerp for £18 million, leaving Onana facing an uncertain future upon his return.
Onana, who previously played in a Champions League final with Inter Milan, is said to be determined to stay and fight for his place. However, United may be forced to subsidise his wages if they wish to loan him out again, as Trabzonspor are currently covering his full salary. Former manager Ruben Amorim, who briefly dropped Onana before his departure, said at the time: "Sometimes it's hard to point where things went wrong... I wish the best for Andre. He was really hard working and good at helping the players. But sometimes you need to change the environment."
With Lammens impressing and Onana's future uncertain, United face a key decision on the goalkeeper's career when he returns in the summer.
