Trabzonspor president speaks out on keeping Andre Onana

While the spotlight has largely been on the first-team setup at Manchester United, Andre Onana has been rebuilding his reputation away from Old Trafford during a loan spell with Trabzonspor, and his recent performances are beginning to turn heads.

The 30-year-old, who joined the Turkish side last September, has re-established himself as a regular starter after falling down the pecking order at Manchester United.

Once the club’s No.1 for two seasons, Onana lost his place early in the current campaign to Altay Bayindir, before slipping even further back following the arrival of Senne Lammens last summer.

That sequence of events ultimately led to United sanctioning a temporary move, one that has proven beneficial for both player and club.

In Turkey, Andre Onana has featured in 28 matches, keeping six clean sheets, but it is his impact in key moments that has stood out most.

His defining contribution came in the Turkish Cup, where he produced a remarkable display in a penalty shootout against Samsunspor.

After a goalless 120 minutes, Onana saved three of the four penalties he faced, single-handedly sending Trabzonspor into the semi-finals and underlining his big-game credentials.

That performance has only strengthened the club’s desire to keep him beyond this season.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has made his stance clear.

“Onana’s career is already established. We like him. I’ve said this before.

“He has a certain plan for his career. If the conditions are right, we want him to stay.

“The final decision will be Onana’s,” he said, as relayed by NTV Spor.

However, the situation is far from straightforward.

The loan deal does not include an option or obligation to buy, meaning Onana is due to return to Manchester United at the end of the season, where he remains under contract until 2028.

Financial considerations could play a major role in what happens next.

It is understood that United would need to recoup around £18.88 million to avoid making a loss under the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules, a figure that may influence whether they push for a permanent exit.

From the player’s perspective, though, there is still belief.

Reports suggest Onana feels he can fight for the No.1 spot again at Old Trafford, setting up a potential battle for places if he does return.

This leaves United with a decision to make.

Do they cash in on a player who has rebuilt his value elsewhere, or reintegrate him into a squad that has already moved on?

It would be very unfair to take Lammens out of that No.1 spot because he has been a calm presence between the sticks since his arrival.

United will possibily need a new second choice keeper as Bayindir looks to be heading to Besiktas.

A large part of the fanbase wouldn’t mind seeing the back of Onana but the decision ultimately sits with those higher up.

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