Andre Onana could be handed a surprise route back to Manchester United this summer, with the club's next manager poised to review his predecessor's final major transfer decision.
Amorim's final call sent Onana packing
The Cameroon international's loan move to Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor in mid-September 2025 was one of the last acts of former manager Ruben Amorim. The move came just weeks after United secured the signing of new first-choice goalkeeper Senne Lammens, seemingly ending Onana's turbulent two-year spell as the club's primary stopper.
Onana, now 29, joined United in 2023 in a £43.8 million deal from Inter Milan, reuniting with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag. His time at Old Trafford was marked by inconsistency; for every positive contribution, costly errors often undermined his position. Despite this, Amorim largely kept faith in the keeper until the decisive September loan.
A door left ajar at Old Trafford
Despite being out on loan, Onana remains under contract at Manchester United until 2028. According to a report from The i Paper in November, the player himself is eager to fight for the number one jersey upon his return. Furthermore, his agent has suggested there were initial plans to keep Onana at the club to work alongside Lammens, indicating he still has supporters within the United setup.
Trabzonspor, currently third in the Super Lig and impressed with his performances, are reportedly open to making the move permanent. This would be the preferred outcome for some at United, who would welcome an acceptable offer. However, if no such bid materialises, a return to the club's Carrington training base becomes a distinct possibility.
The new manager's dilemma
The key variable is the identity and opinion of Amorim's successor. The new boss will inherit a situation where Lammens has made a strong start, establishing himself as the clear favourite. Every squad, however, requires reliable depth, and a goalkeeper of Onana's experience—with 53 international caps and a Champions League final appearance on his CV—presents a potentially valuable deputy.
It is not a role Onana would likely choose, but it may be his only option if he is determined to see out his contract in Manchester. The successor to Amorim may view a player once signed for a major fee as a useful second choice, capable of pushing Lammens and providing cover across multiple competitions.
While many fans may feel his time is conclusively over, the impending managerial change ensures nothing is yet set in stone. Onana's future, much like the club's, awaits a new direction.
