Report: Onana turned down Monaco after Man United assurances | OneFootball

Onana Turns Down Monaco Before Loan Switch to Trabzonspor

Andre Onana’s turbulent Manchester United journey has taken yet another twist, with The I Paper reporting that the goalkeeper turned down a move to Monaco earlier this summer after being assured he would be the club’s No 1 this season. Instead, he is now on the verge of a season-long loan to Trabzonspor in a deal that marks a significant shift in United’s goalkeeping plans.

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United’s Goalkeeping U-Turn

According to The I Paper, Onana had been informed he would start the season as first-choice, a decision that persuaded him to stay despite interest from Monaco. “He was under the impression he was at the forefront of coach Ruben Amorim’s plans,” the report explains. However, a combination of early-season mistakes from both Onana and Altay Bayindir forced United to reconsider their stance.

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The club moved quickly to bring in Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, choosing him over the more experienced Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa. This decision has accelerated Onana’s departure, with Trabzonspor covering his full wages and offering additional bonuses.

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Fresh Start in Turkey

Should the paperwork be completed before Friday’s Turkish transfer deadline, Onana is expected to make his debut against Fenerbahce this weekend. Regular football is vital for the Cameroon international as he prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations and looks to rebuild confidence.

Sources have indicated that Onana has not closed the door on a return to Old Trafford. A strong season in Turkey could yet see him challenge for the No 1 spot again next year.

Malacia Linked with Eyupspor Move

United are also trying to resolve the future of Tyrell Malacia, the last member of the so-called “bomb squad” still at the club. The I Paper claims that Turkish side Eyupspor have submitted a loan offer, but Malacia remains undecided with both the Turkish and Saudi windows set to close imminently.

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What This Means for United

The decision to persist with Lammens and potentially Bayindir signals a reset in United’s goalkeeping department. It also reflects a wider willingness to make bold calls in a bid to address the defensive vulnerabilities that have dogged them this season.

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To go from being told that Onana would be United’s first-choice keeper to seeing him shipped out on loan feels like chaos behind the scenes. Supporters will be wondering what changed so drastically in a matter of weeks. Was it really just the errors, or is this a sign that Amorim has completely lost faith in him?

It is hard not to feel stunned by how quickly this situation has unravelled. Onana was a £47 million signing and was meant to be a cornerstone of this rebuild. The fact that he turned down Monaco shows he was willing to fight for his place, but the club clearly decided to cut their losses for now.

Many fans will be cautiously optimistic about Lammens, but he is still unproven at this level. The Manchester derby is a huge occasion, and throwing a 23-year-old into that pressure cooker could go either way. This feels like a gamble, and while the hope is that it pays off, there is also a real fear this might create even more instability in a crucial position.