MANCHESTER UNITED have confirmed the departure of Andre Onana on a season-long loan to Trabzonspor.
Onana, 29, leaves the Old Trafford club after falling down the goalkeeper pecking order behind Altay Bayindir and £18million deadline day arrival Senne Lammens.
In a 113-word statement released at 8:30pm on Thursday, United said: “Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has joined Trabzonspor on loan for the duration of the 2025/26 season, subject to international clearance and registration.
“The 29-year-old Cameroon international has made 102 appearances for the Reds since signing from Italian giants Inter in July 2023.
“In his first season at United, Andre was part of the squad that lifted the Emirates FA Cup following a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
“Onana played 50 times in his second campaign and our No24 has now agreed a loan move to Trabzonspor.
“The move has been completed ahead of the Turkish transfer window closing on Friday. We would like to wish Andre good luck.”
Former Inter Milan and Ajax star Onana had been the No1 between the sticks at United for the last two seasons, but became synonymous with a catalogue of errors.
But his Old Trafford career hit the rocks this summer after he arrived back at Carrington demanding a new contract to bump up his wages following a 25 per cent cut with United not in the Champions League.
This request was said to have left Amorim furious, while SunSport also understands the 40-year-old was unimpressed with the Cameroon international picking up a hamstring injury at the start of pre-season after being seen playing on a muddy pitch back in his homeland before returning to England.
In fact, as SunSport exclusively revealed, Onana and Amorim’s relationship is said to have deteriorated to the point that the goalkeeper would not even acknowledge his boss in training.
Onana was left out of the team for Premier League clashes against Arsenal and Fulham, before returning in goal for the shock defeat to League Two Grimsby in the League Cup where Onana had yet another stinker.
He then dropped to the bench again for the 3-2 win over Burnley before the international break.
SunSport understands Amorim viewed Onana’s departure as key to getting rid of bad influences in the dressing room, with one source saying Onana was “there to just show up but wasn’t there or showing any team mentality”.
As he arrived at the airport in the Turkish city of Trabzon to complete his switch to Trabzonspor, Onana was mobbed by cheering fans.
He could be seen wearing a scarf with the colours of the Super Lig side and dancing with the fans.
It has also been claimed Onana will earn “significantly more” than he did at United due to the signing-on fee and bonuses on offer at Trabzonspor.
Onana’s departure now means United have shifted out most of their “bomb squad”, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund all departing either permanently or on loan this summer.
The Red Devils now take on Manchester City in the Manchester Derby on Sunday, where Amorim will have a major decision to make in goal.
He will need to decide whether to stick with the known quantity of Bayindir, 27, for the blockbuster clash or go bold by throwing new 23-year-old shot-stopper Lammens straight in goal.
But Lammens has been given some key advice by United icon Alex Stepney, who exclusively told SunSport: “Senne, like all youngsters in his position, needs to show he has the courage to be his own man.
“So many these days don’t grasp that the 18-yard box — and especially the area from the six-yard line to the penalty spot, is theirs to command, no messing.
“It is their territory and they have to command it and show they have courage but also authority to do so. If they do that they will get the instant respect of team-mates and opponents.
“Some might say throwing Senne into the derby after growing up in Belgian football is too much pressure too soon.
“But it could be the perfect opportunity to show right away that he has what it takes to handle the huge responsibility of playing in net for Manchester United.”
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