Andre Onana Could Become a Problem for Manchester United after Returning from Loan

Andre Onana will be a burden for Manchester United after returning from his loan (Instagram/@andreonana.24).

JAKARTA - Manchester United is facing a dilemma regarding the future of Andre Onana. Launching ESPN, the goalkeeper's salary will soar if they qualify for next season's European tournament.

Onana joined Turkish club Trabzonspor on loan for one season in September 2025. However, without the obligation or option to make the transfer permanent, the Cameroon player will return to Old Trafford this summer.

The deal with Trabzonspor was partly facilitated by Onana's significant pay cut at Manchester United after failing to qualify for the European tournament for the 2025/2026 season.

However, with Michael Carrick's team in third place in the English League table and a chance to qualify for the Champions League, Onana's salary will return to its original level.

There are concerns at Manchester United that the salary rise will complicate efforts to attract other clubs' interest in the 29-year-old during the summer.

This leaves the club facing the possibility of paying part of Onana's salary if they want to negotiate another transfer - either permanently or on loan.

Onana still has two years remaining on the contract he signed when he arrived from Inter Milan under former coach Erik ten Hag in 2023.

Sources close to Onana told ESPN that he would prefer to rejoin the Manchester United squad for pre-season training and fight for his place.

Onana's representatives are hoping to have talks with the club before the end of May 2026.

However, the Red Devils are happy with Senne Lammens' performances since his arrival from Royal Antwerp and hope the Belgian will continue to be the first-choice goalkeeper next season.

In fact, there is no option to give a place to Onana. Manchester United even prefers to consider recruiting another goalkeeper in the summer to replace the second goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir.

Bayindir became Besiktas' target in January 2026 and told the club that he wanted to move to improve his chances of playing for Turkey at the 2026 World Cup.

Manchester United decided not to weaken the squad in the middle of the season, but further interest in Bayindir is expected to emerge at the end of this season.

Meanwhile, third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton, 39, signed a one-year contract extension last summer and his contract expires in June 2026.