All the latest Manchester United news as Andre Onana joins Trabzonspor on loan for the duration of the season
Andre Onana arrives to sign for Trabzonspor from Manchester United
Andre Onana arrives to sign for Trabzonspor from Manchester United
Carlos Baleba has shown his support for Andre Onana following his move to Trabzonspor. The 29-year-old goalkeeper, who Manchester United signed from Inter Milan for £47m in July 2023, has joined the Turkish outfit on loan for the season.
Onana missed the opening weekend of the new Premier League season due to a hamstring injury. Altay Bayindir, who replaced the Cameroon international between the sticks, was heavily scrutinised for his performance during the Reds' 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Despite a shaky display, Ruben Amorim refused to give Onana another chance in the English top-flight. The Portuguese boss did, however, select the Cameroonian for United's clash against Grimsby Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Onana hardly covered himself in glory as the Reds lost 14-13 on penalties at Blundell Park. With Amorim eager to bring in a new goalkeeper, United signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day for £18m.
After failing to attract much interest from Europe's top-five leagues, the Reds eventually managed to find a new club for the Cameroonian. On the penultimate day of the Turkish transfer window, Trabzonspor secured Onana's signature.
The Manchester Evening News understands that the 2021/22 Süper Lig champions have agreed to pay his wages in full. Onana will also receive a pay rise due to the 20 per cent tax rate for players in Turkey.
Trabzonspor announced the goalkeeper's loan on Thursday evening, plastering posts across social media. On Instagram, Trabzonspor captioned their announcement: "Another adventure, another challenge. Welcome to the biggest city team in the world, Andre Onana!"
The Turkish outfit also got Onana to partake in a social media trend, which has eclipsed half a million likes. The Cameroonian changed the wallpaper on his phone from the United badge to the claret and blue badge, with the song 'Oh Nanana' by Bonde R300 playing in the background.
Trabzonspor uploaded pictures from Onana's photoshoot a few moments later, which caught the eye of his former teammates. Rasmus Hojlund, who also recently left United on loan, Bryan Mbeumo, Joshua Zirkzee and 'liked' the post.
As did Baleba, who was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer. The Manchester Evening News understands that United enquired about the Brighton midfielder's availability, and they were quoted around £100m for his signature.
Having spent £215m on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Diego Leon and Lammens, the Reds struggled to financially justify such an investment. It's also understood that United did not consider strengthening their midfield as a priority, hence the arrival three marquee forwards.