Cameroonian goalkeeper deemed surplus to requirements despite successful loan spell; Red Devils face “wage hurdle” in search for permanent buyer.
Manchester United have decided not to reintegrate André Onana into their squad for the upcoming season, sources have told ESPN. Despite a resurgent campaign on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor, the 30-year-old has been informed he is not part of the club’s long-term vision under the INEOS-led sporting department.
Onana, who joined United in a high-profile £43.8 million move from Inter Milan in 2023, was shipped out on loan last September following a difficult debut season at Old Trafford. While he had reportedly hoped to return this summer to compete for the starting shirt, the club has instead thrown its full support behind Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Senne Lammens, 23, has enjoyed a standout debut season since arriving from Royal Antwerp. He has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable shot-stoppers, helping steer United back into the Champions League under the guidance of manager Michael Carrick.
With elite European football returning to Old Trafford, the United hierarchy is keen to build a deeper squad. However, they have opted to look for fresh competition for Lammens rather than turning back to Onana. The club is also preparing for the departure of current second-choice Altay Bayındır, who is expected to join Beşiktaş this summer after reaching an agreement in principle.
While United are eager to find a permanent suitor for Onana—who remains under contract until 2028—his financial terms present a significant obstacle.
The goalkeeper’s wages were reduced last season following United’s failure to qualify for European competition, a factor that made his temporary move to Turkey financially viable. However, with United securing a top-four finish this term, Onana’s salary is set to rise significantly over the summer in line with squad-wide performance clauses. This “Champions League bump” could make his permanent signature prohibitive for many interested clubs, potentially forcing United to subsidize a transfer or consider another loan deal.
Since the arrival of the new sporting leadership, United have been ruthless in their squad management. Having spent the 2025-26 season with the club’s fewest matches in over a century, the upcoming campaign will see a much-congested schedule with a minimum of eight additional Champions League fixtures.
Work has already begun to identify a new deputy for Lammens who can provide reliable cover as United look to balance domestic ambitions with their return to Europe’s premier competition. For Onana, a standout performer during his 102 appearances for the club, the focus now shifts to finding a new home where his experience and ball-playing ability remain in high demand.
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