Manchester United gave Andre Onana the green light to head out on loan to Trabzonspor but the Cameroon star had a mixed debut for the Turkish Super Lig outfit on Sunday
Andre Onana looks on during a Trabzonspor game
Andre Onana had mixed fortunes on his debut for Trabzonspor
(Image: Ahmad Mora)
Andre Onana endured a mixed debut with Trabzonspor after failing to cover himself in glory during the decisive moment in their 1-0 defeat to bitter rivals Fenerbahce on Sunday.
The Cameroon star, 29, finalised his loan move to Trabzonspor last week after being given the green light to leave Manchester United for the season. He departed Old Trafford having fallen behind Altay Bayindir in the pecking order following another erratic season in goal with Senne Lammens also brought in from Royal Antwerp on deadline day to bolster Ruben Amorim's ranks.
Onana was subsequently thrust straight into the action for his new team this weekend as they travelled to Fenerbahce in a big Turkish Super Lig clash. And while his overall display earned positive reviews, the 'keeper could have done better with Youssef En-Nesyr's winning goal.
Onana thwarted former Manchester United midfielder, Fred, in the build-up to the goal but could only push the ball straight back into danger, where En-Nesyr was waiting to take full advantage. Trabzonspor played the majority of the game with 10 men after Okay Yokuslu was sent off after just 20 minutes with Onana making no less than eight saves to keep the score respectable, though.
The hope is that Onana will rediscover his best form in Turkey after a challenging three years in the Premier League with United. And Cameroon coach, Carlos Kameni, reckons Onana will silence his critics and could even earn a big move off the back of a positive season with Trabzonspor.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 14: Andre Onana of Trabzonspor looks on during the Trendyol Süper Lig match between Fenerbahçe SK and Trabzonspor at Ulker Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Onana was kept busy on his debut as Trabzonspor played most of the game with 10 men
“It’s a good choice [to join Trabzonspor]. Andre was struggling at Manchester United,” he said to Africa Foot. “Last season, he was heavily criticised, and since the start of the season, he’d barely played and everyone, including him, understood that he was likely to spend a lot of time on the bench or in the stands.
“I told him he was right. It’s a good choice. 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, right?
Andre Onana warming up ahead of Manchester United vs Burnley
Onana had fallen down the pecking order at Manchester United before leaving on loan
“In Turkey, he’ll certainly be watched, because he’s a very good goalkeeper, but I think he’ll be under a little less pressure than at Manchester United.”
When he was asked if Onana would soon be back with a top European side, Kameni added: “Yes. He hasn’t lost his qualities at Manchester United. As can happen to all great athletes, he may experience a more complicated spell for a few months. Andre Onana is very professional, he remains a reliable player, and if he has a good season in Turkey, he’ll be in demand next summer.”
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