Manchester United’s players are said to be relieved to have avoided significant issues amid André Onana’s loan exit to Trabzonspor.
Manchester United’s goalkeeping issues have been evident in recent years, and André Onana has struggled to find his best form since arriving from Inter Milan in 2023.
Once regarded as one of Europe’s top ball-playing goalkeepers, the 29-year-old has been unable to reproduce that level at Old Trafford.
Following the deadline-day arrival of Senne Lammens, initial reports suggested that Onana and Altay Bayındır would compete for the No.1 spot under Rúben Amorim.
However, it has since been confirmed that Onana will head to Turkey on loan with Trabzonspor, where he is also set to earn a pay rise.
United players react to Onana’s loan exit
On Thursday evening, it was officially announced that Onana had landed in Turkey and signed with the Turkish Super Lig side. However, his arrival was very much apparent long before then, with crowds mobbing the streets to catch a glimpse of the Cameroon international.
While several United fans will be glad to see the back of Onana after he conceded 150 goals in just 102 appearances for the Reds, the club’s players are more relieved to have avoided a taut training situation.
According to the Manchester Evening News, those within the dressing room felt there would have been a “problem” had Onana not found an exit out of Old Trafford following the deadline day signing of Lammens.
It was detailed that the squad are relieved to have avoided the “nonsense” that would have come with a four-man senior goalkeeping department consisting of Lammens, Bayındır, Onana, and veteran Tom Heaton.
United’s new No. 1 will be confirmed soon
United’s next fixture is an intense tie against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, and one key question that is yet to be answered is who will start in goal for Amorim on Sunday afternoon.
Bayındır has started all three of United’s Premier League games, and Amorim is known to be a great admirer of the Turkish international’s professionalism. However, having made a few mistakes already this season, there is little long-term confidence in the player.
Read More: Three baffling André Onana moments show exactly why he lost Ruben Amorim’s trust at Man Utd
On the flip side, Lammens is a raw shot-stopping talent with the potential to become a fantastic Premier League goalkeeper. However, throwing him in against City away from home for his debut could be a rough affair.
United’s next few fixtures come as City (A), Chelsea (H), Brentford (A), and Sunderland (H). While Bayındır may get the nod for City and possibly Chelsea, it would not be surprising to see if Lammens is allowed to play against the other two ahead of the October international break.
Following these four fixtures, the picture of who United’s new first-choice goalkeeper is going to be will become much clearer.
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