Turkish Super Lig Seeks to Loan Onana from Manchester United! Reasons Behind His Fall Out with Amolin Revealed, Transfer Just a Matter of Time

Despite the closure of the summer transfer window in Europe's main leagues, players can still move out of the Premier League, and the Turkish Super Lig is one such option. It is reported that 29-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana has been offered a loan deal by a Turkish club, as he has lost his place under Rúben Amorim.

Since his €50 million transfer to Manchester United in 2023, Onana has frequently been a source of issues for the team. In the only match he played this season, against English League Two side Grimsby, he made two errors: failing to cover the near post on the first goal and making a poor punch that allowed an open goal on the second.

Manchester United secured the signing of 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens at the last moment of the summer window. Now, with four first-team goalkeepers on the squad, the club typically looks to offload one, especially since United only have one match per week, making so many keepers unnecessary. According to Turkish media, Trabzonspor has submitted a loan offer for Onana to Manchester United.

Insiders say Manchester United is still considering the proposal, preferring to sell either Onana or Baïndiril. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS management team realize that a permanent transfer for Onana under current circumstances is unlikely. As for Onana himself, although he insists on staying to fight for his spot, if Amorim excludes him from matchday squads like he did with striker Højlund, he would consider leaving. Whether he is willing to join Trabzonspor is another matter.

Trabzonspor may not be as famous as Istanbul’s local rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, but it is regarded as one of Turkey’s most prestigious clubs, having won the league title seven times, most recently in 2022. Their trophy cabinet also includes nine domestic cups and ten Turkish Super Cups.

The Turkish Super Lig transfer window closes on September 12, and many Manchester United fans are urging the club to accept the offer and let Onana go. Earlier rumors suggested Galatasaray might also be interested in acquiring either Onana or Altay Bayındır, having missed out on Manchester City’s goalkeeper Ederson and still searching for a new keeper.

According to "Athletic," Manchester United initially did not plan to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, but the combined performances of Onana and Bayındır changed Amorim’s mind. Especially Onana, whose various displays have disappointed the 40-year-old Portuguese coach. It is said that three specific actions by Onana triggered the coach’s displeasure.

During preseason training, Onana reported a hamstring injury on the first day, which worsened by the second day into a "serious injury." The coaching staff was unhappy with his fitness level upon return, and the early injury left Amorim with a negative impression.

Reportedly, Onana was demanding a salary increase from Manchester United at the time. After taking a 25% pay cut last season due to missing out on the Champions League, his agent sought a contract renewal with higher wages. The club was naturally displeased, as Onana’s poor performances contributed significantly to missing the Champions League, yet he was asking for a raise, which appeared somewhat shameless and understandably lost Amorim’s favor.

Therefore, since July, Amorim has wanted the club’s transfer department to bring in a new goalkeeper. At that time, the club explored a loan for Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez, a 32-year-old former world-class goalkeeper admired by Amorim for his Premier League experience, winning pedigree, and leadership qualities, all seen as beneficial to the team. However, Manchester United’s offer was rejected, with Villa demanding £30 million.

Manchester United’s transfer department preferred Lammens, who received excellent scouting reports and was cheaper in both transfer fee and wages compared to Martínez. As the new season began and the two United goalkeepers made consecutive errors, Amorim decided to activate the goalkeeper acquisition plan, simultaneously working on deals for two candidate new signings.

Amorim started Bayındır in the Premier League despite his repeated mistakes, especially his weakness against crosses. Onana’s performance in the League Cup was even worse, continuing the poor form he showed in his last game last season — the Europa League final. Coupled with his salary demands, this accelerated Amorim’s loss of confidence in him.

Even though Bayındır made errors in the Premier League, Amorim insisted on starting him rather than reinstating Onana. However, "Athletic" reports that when Onana remained on the bench for the second-round away match at Fulham, his agent asked Manchester United if they intended to find a solution for him before the transfer window closed on September 1, only to be told "he is still part of Amorim’s plans."

However, Lammens’ arrival may change the situation. Even if Onana stays this summer, there is a high likelihood he will leave next year. Besides the Turkish Super Lig, the Saudi Professional League transfer market is also still open, and both leagues have shown interest in Onana. Among Manchester United’s current goalkeepers, only Tom Heaton holds a stable position. Having renewed his contract this summer, the nearly 40-year-old veteran is unlikely to play and is more of a coaching staff member than a first-team player.