Onana’s Transfer To Trabzonspor Is Best For Everyone

The transfer opportunity for André Onana to Trabzonspor might be the best outcome for everyone. Brought in by Erik ten Hag as the bold replacement for David de Gea, the Cameroonian goalkeeper arrived with a reputation for smartness but swiftly found himself under the severest limelight. His mistakes were overblown, his highlights often overlooked, and by the end of his first season, he was being called one of the worst goalkeepers Manchester United had ever contracted.

Now that his transfer to Turkish side Trabzonspor has been confirmed with no buy option or loan fee, many will say this move is a let-down for both the player and the club. But maybe it’s time to view it positively. On closer scrutiny, this deal might be precisely what Onana, United, and even the fans need.

Onana Gets A Mental Reset

Being a goalkeeper is never easy, but doing it at Old Trafford has a different level of pressure. Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones, who made 229 appearances in 12 seasons, noted that goalkeeper errors tend to have an infectious effect, worrying the entire defensive unit. He added that such mistakes are difficult to shake off, often lasting until the next match.

“The Manchester United shirt is a heavy one to wear,” Jones said.

Onana experienced the weight of that shirt firsthand. From gifting Galatasaray a goal in the Champions League to costly Premier League blunders, every slip became a headline. But let’s not forget this is still the same keeper who helped Inter Milan reach the 2023 Champions League final.

What he needs now is space away from the online blame game. At Trabzonspor, he’ll get the chance to rebuild his self-assurance, play regular minutes, and remind people why he was signed in the first place.

United Buys Time To Restructure

Eliminating Onana from the instant picture gives Manchester United room to focus on their bigger issues: defensive chaos, midfield imbalance, or tactical uncertainty. These problems have overwhelmed the squad far more than one player’s individual mistakes.

Now that Onana is gone, there’s no easy victim to blame. The pressure swings to the coaching staff and squad to address universal faults that have held the club back.

Fans Get A Break From The Blame Game

For supporters, this move might be the best result of all. United’s goalkeeping struggles have been unethically tied to a single man. But a leaky defence and inconsistent midfield structure were just as much to blame.

Take, for instance, the May 2024, when United collapsed 4–0 against Crystal Palace. Injuries had left only 12 senior players fit; Jonny Evans started despite not being fully recovered, and the midfield was in a muddle. Those factors formed a disaster long before Onana made a save.

By moving him out, the talk now shifts. Fans will now have to examine more profound questions about why every goalkeeper looks worse behind United’s back line, whether Ruben Amorim’s tactics are realistic, and if the club’s overall approach has kept up with current football.

End Of My André Onana Rant

Onana made errors that hurt United. Football careers aren’t defined by one season, and one player doesn’t define a club. His move to Trabzonspor gives him a chance to reset, offers fans a chance to see the bigger image, and gives United the time to reorganise.

In the end, this isn’t a failure; it’s a reset. For Onana. For United. And for everyone stuck in the blame cycle.