Good Riddance Andre Onana - Manchester United's Misguided Goalkeeping Gamble
After a calamitous spell at Old Trafford, Andre Onana is set to depart for Turkey this week as one of Manchester United's worst signings in recent memory. Learn why his departure is a relief for United fans and how his downfall unfolded.
The calamitous Cameroonian is set to depart for Turkey this week, and there won't be a single United fan who is sad to see the back of him"You want to tell me in six months the best goalkeeper in the Champions League last season can become the worst in the world? Nah. Everything is temporary," Andre Onana told Sky Sports in December 2023 after an error-laden start to his Manchester United career. "I know it'll be alright. If not today, it will be tomorrow, if not tomorrow, the day after tomorrow."Almost 21 months on from that interview, it's fair to say that Onana's confidence was misplaced. The former Inter Milan goalkeeper was not the "worst in the world" then, but that's a title he has seemingly done his best to earn since.There was plenty of blame to go around for United's disastrous 2024-25 season, which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League table, but Onana was the symbol of their failure. He became an easy target for opposing teams and constantly undermined the efforts of his team-mates with his staggering ineptitude between the sticks.As a result, Onana has lost the trust of head coach Ruben Amorim, who started the new campaign with Altay Bayindir in goal, before signing 23-year-old Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day. It is expected that Lammens will be United's new No.1, despite his lack of experience, because Bayindir has also proven to be an unreliable pair of hands, while Onana is now being shipped off to Turkey.The Cameroon international has agreed to join Trabzonspor on a season-long loan, which, remarkably, gives him the chance to almost double his current salary. But the move also effectively ends his time at the top level of the sport. Onana has been so terrible at Old Trafford that his once-proud reputation is in ruins, and he will go down as United's worst signing of the last 20 years, which is some achievement considering how many flops have passed through the club since the Glazer family's takeover in 2005.
The Rise and Fall of Andre Onana
Almost two years ago, Andre Onana expressed optimism amidst his tumultuous start at Manchester United. However, his subsequent performances painted a different picture. Despite being hailed as the best goalkeeper in the Champions League, Onana's time at Old Trafford was marred by errors and inconsistency, making him a liability for the team.
The Season of Discontent
The 2024-25 season was a dark chapter for Manchester United, with Onana becoming a poster child for their struggles. Opposing teams targeted his vulnerabilities, exacerbating the team's woes. As United plummeted to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League, Onana's blunders were emblematic of their overall decline.
A Fresh Start for United
With the arrival of Senne Lammens and the relegation of Onana to the bench, Manchester United look to turn the page on a regrettable chapter. Lammens, despite his youth and inexperience, is poised to take over the reins as United's new No.1, signaling a decisive break from Onana's disastrous tenure.
Farewell to Misery
Andre Onana's loan move to Trabzonspor marks the end of his ill-fated stint at the top level of football. While the financial incentives are enticing, his reputation has taken a severe hit, cementing his legacy as one of United's worst signings in recent memory. United fans, meanwhile, will bid him a not-so-fond farewell.
