Whitwell: ‘Highly unlikely’ Man United star can revive his career under Ruben Amorim

Having just concluded his international duty with Cameroon, Andre Onana is preparing to travel to Turkey to undergo his medical with Trabzonspor.

Assuming all goes to plan, the Manchester United man will then put pen to paper on a season-long loan deal before making his debut against Fenerbahce on Sunday evening.

There is no buy option or obligation included in the terms, though, meaning United will be back to square one in trying to find Onana a suitor at the end of the campaign.

Onana made his first outing of the season against Grimsby Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup. He conceded two goals from open play and 12 penalties in the shootout. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

According to Laurie Whitwell, it’s now ‘highly unlikely’ that the 29-year-old revives his Old Trafford career following eight months in Turkey.

Figures close to United are also said to be ‘surprised’ that Onana opted to depart in the closing stages of the summer window over fighting to reclaim his spot or moving to a European side in the winter.

By the time the club informed Onana he was free to join a new team, the window had already closed for the majority of Europe, limiting his options to Turkey, Saudi Arabia or Greece.

He wasn’t by any means forced out of United, but he was aware that after being omitted from the line-up for the opening three Premier League matches and watching Senne Lammens arrive on deadline day from Royal Antwerp, he might not feature again in 2025/2026.

Alas, Trabzonspor’s approach opened the door for Onana to continue plying his trade in a competitive league before he is poised to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

His pay is also set to double from the current £120,000-a-week he earns in M16, which was actually as high as £170,000 per week before United failed to qualify for the Champions League.