Manchester United are already looking ahead to the 2026 summer transfer window as they plan for the return of one of their current on-loan stars.
Once viewed as one of the best goalkeepers in European football following his impressive spells at both Ajax and Inter Milan, André Onana has failed to deliver the same performances since joining Manchester United.
Despite this, it was still expected that the Cameroonian would stay at United and battle for his place with Altay Bayındır, who started the season as the preferred shot-stopper.
It was evident that United needed to sign a goalkeeper in the summer, and eventually managed to secure the signing of the promising Belgian keeper, Senne Lammens.
Despite it being thought that the three would compete for the No.1 role under Rúben Amorim, Onana was somewhat surprisingly sent on loan to Turkish side Trabzonspor on a straight loan deal for the rest of the season.
Fabrizio Romano believes it’s over between Onana and Man Utd
Onana has started life in Turkey relatively well, conceding just two goals in his first two games, while also providing an assist in their 1-1 draw against Gaziantep.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano spoke on the situation surrounding Onana, believing that he almost certainly has no future at Old Trafford.
“It’s a straight loan,” the Italian journalist said. “So officially André Onana returns at Manchester United in summer 2026 and is part of the group as a Manchester United player.
“My understanding is that both sides, Manchester United and Andre Onana himself, see this Man United chapter as almost closed. It’s very difficult to imagine Andre Onana staying at Manchester United beyond the 2025-26 season.
“Onana was quite disappointed with the situation this summer because Man United believe that Senne Lammens is going to be the goalkeeper for the present and future. So, unless something extraordinary happens, I think this is a straight loan, okay for Trabzonspor.
“He might go somewhere else in the future, but it’s over between Manchester United and Onana, probably because, at the moment, this is the feeling.
“In football, never say never. Maybe a new coach arrives and decides something different. Maybe Onana decides to go for a different opportunity and fight for his place at Man United. Anything can happen in football, we know that. But if you ask me the feeling around Onana today, well, this is the feeling.”
Lammens needs to be handed first start
United have failed to keep a clean sheet so far this season, with Bayındır having conceded eight goals across his five appearances so far this season.
While it was understandable not to throw Lammens in at the deep end against Manchester City and Chelsea, there are no more excuses now not to start the Belgian for their next two outings before the international break.
Before the October international break, United face Brentford away on the 27th of September, before hosting Sunderland on the 4th of October, a perfect opportunity to give Lammens his debut.
Amorim simply has to take this opportunity with the fixtures he has been given to start the Belgian talent and allow him to show what he’s capable of. If he truly is the club’s No.1 option for now and the future, he needs to be allowed to show why United are putting their faith in him.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.