Andre Onana’s career at Manchester United looked like it had reached a dead end, but his latest performance in Turkey may have opened a new door.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper, now on loan at Trabzonspor, reminded everyone why United paid big money for him just two years ago.
In his very first league outing for the Turkish side, Onana faced a storm of shots against Fenerbahçe. Trabzonspor went down to 10 men, yet the 29-year-old stood tall, pulling off seven saves, including four diving stops.
He even prevented more than a goal and a half, according to the numbers, earning an 8.4 match rating — the highest on the pitch, as per FotMob.
Andre Onana in his first match with 10-man Trabzonspor against Fenerbahçe:
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 14, 2025
- 29 shots faced 😳
- 8 saves 🧤
- 4 diving saves 🫸
- 1.63 goals prevented ❌
- 8.7 rating (@FotMob - MOTM) 📈 pic.twitter.com/tFpiJ3jEgA
For a player who has taken his share of criticism in England, this felt like a statement. Onana may have left Old Trafford on loan, but he certainly has not left the spotlight.
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Could Turkey be the launchpad for Onana?
United invested £48 million to sign Onana from Inter in 2023, hoping he would replace David de Gea as their long-term No. 1.
Instead, high-profile mistakes quickly added pressure, and two uneven seasons pushed him down the pecking order. New arrival Senne Lammens became the preferred choice, leaving Onana searching for minutes elsewhere.
That is where Trabzonspor came in. Cameroon’s goalkeeping coach Carlos Kameni backed the move, telling Africa Foot:
“It’s a good choice. Andre was struggling at Manchester United. Last season, he was heavily criticised, and since the start of the season, he’d barely played. It’s better to be a starter at a very good club in a good league than a substitute at a big club in a big league.”
Kameni added that Onana “remains a reliable player” and will be in demand again if he shines in Turkey.
The long game
Onana’s deal keeps him tied to Manchester United until 2028, but his future there looks bleak. A strong season with Trabzonspor could reportedly put him back on the radar of Europe’s top five leagues by 2026.
That also means regular action ahead of the African Cup of Nations, something he has set his sights on with Cameroon.
For now, he has only just unpacked his bags in Turkey, but the signs are encouraging. Facing nearly 30 shots on debut and walking away as man of the match is no small feat.
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