Andre Onana was labelled as "The Wall" by Trabzonspor as the exiled Manchester United goalkeeper kept a clean sheet to inspire his side to a 2-0 victory over Eyupsor in the Turkish Super Lig. The once heavily criticised goalkeeper, whose time at Old Trafford crumbled under the weight of mistakes, has suddenly become the heartbeat of Trabzonspor after a string of impressive performances between the sticks.
Redemption for Onana in Turkey
Onana has swapped the bright lights of Manchester for the serene backdrop of Turkey’s northern coast. His move to Trabzonspor came as a surprise to many, especially considering the club’s modest finish in seventh place last season and absence from European competition. But with transfer windows closed across Europe and options dwindling fast, Onana needed a fresh start. Since arriving last month, the former Ajax man has made an instant impact. Against Eyupsor, he was unbeatable as he registered four crucial saves and a passing accuracy of 86%. Trabzonspor fans roared his name throughout the game, while the club’s official account later shared a striking graphic hailing him as “The Wall.”
AdvertisementGOALA chance to rise again for Onana
After being pushed aside at United, first by Altay Bayindir and then by the signing of Senne Lammens, his confidence appeared in tatters. However, away from the harsh glare of English football, he has rediscovered his swagger. A reported pay boost, including lucrative performance bonuses, sweetened the deal, but those close to Onana insist it’s the opportunity for redemption that truly drives him. It’s not just his shot-stopping that has caught attention. In a previous match against Gaziantep, Onana produced one of the most audacious assists of the Turkish season. Charging out of his box, he launched a pinpoint long pass that sliced through the opposition defence, allowing striker Paul Onuachu to score and snatch a dramatic 1-1 draw. Reports in Turkey suggest he’s become a key dressing-room leader, helping to motivate younger teammates.
Onana to stay permanently in Turkey?
Trabzonspor have already hinted they’d love to keep him beyond his current loan deal, which runs until June 2026. However, any permanent move will require tough negotiations, as United did not include an option-to-buy clause in the agreement. With Trabzonspor’s transfer record barely reaching €7 million, any deal for a permanent switch would demand breaking that threshold. If Onana continues his resurgence, his price tag could soar beyond the Turkish club’s financial reach. But if his form dips, United might struggle to attract serious bidders and sell him at a throwaway price to the Turkish side.
After sealing his move to Turkey, Onana said: "I am very happy. I can say that I am very happy. I am starting a new project, a new adventure for me, I am very happy to be here. This is a feeling that makes me so happy. I've never felt so much love from people around me. It's a wonderful feeling to be made to feel at home from the very first moment. I want to start working as soon as possible and reciprocate that love by making them happy on the field. I'm always ready. Every player wants to play and take part in these kinds of matches. Of course, we'll be playing against an important and strong opponent. But we're also aware of our strength."
However, United legend, Peter Schmeichel, took aim at Onana for his error-laden stint at United and said: "You think about the goalkeepers that we’ve had over these last couple of years and how many goals we’ve conceded from errors – nine already this season – it’s too much. My instruction when I played was to save the team 10 points a season, not give them away."
He went on to lavish praise on Senne Lammens and added, "This young lad [Lammens didn’t have much to do for a long time, but he did well when called upon. You could see his confidence grow after that first save, and the defenders reacted well. It’s far too early to judge him, though; he’s young, hardly played any competitive football, and the pressure at Manchester United can be relentless. He did well, it was clean and positive, things we haven’t been used to. But we’ll really see what kind of goalkeeper he is when he makes mistakes and has to respond to them. That’s when we’ll know how good he can be.”
AFPOnana set to face his biggest test yet
Onana’s newfound fame, however, will face its sternest test this weekend when Trabzonspor travel to Istanbul to face reigning champions Galatasaray. A win would close the gap at the top to just two points, but a defeat could halt their growing momentum.