Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has admitted that it was the right decision for Andre Onana to leave Old Trafford this summer, describing the goalkeeper’s loan move to Trabzonspor as a “necessary change” for all involved ahead of Sunday's showdown with Manchester City.
Onana arrived at United in the summer of 2023 from Inter Milan for £47 million after helping the Serie A side reach the Champions League final, but he has endured a difficult two-year spell in Manchester.
The Cameroon international has kept just 24 clean sheets in 102 appearances, conceding 150 goals in that time.
The 29-year-old was dropped in the opening weeks of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, with Altay Bayindir preferred as first choice.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has admitted that it was the right decision for Andre Onana to leave Old Trafford this summer, describing the goalkeeper’s loan move to Trabzonspor as a “necessary change” for all involved ahead of Sunday's showdown with Manchester City
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Onana’s only outing this season came in the EFL Cup defeat to Grimsby Town, where he faced criticism for his role in the shock elimination.
United moved on deadline day to sign Belgian keeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp to compete with Bayindir, effectively confirming the end of Onana’s time at the club.
His loan switch to Trabzonspor was finalised on Thursday, with no option to buy included — though few expect him to play for United again.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby, Amorim said the decision was mutual and designed to help Onana rediscover the form that made him one of Europe’s top keepers.
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“Not just us as a club but also Andre — I think we all understood this needed a change,” Amorim said.
“Sometimes it’s hard to point exactly why. It’s the performance, it’s the moment, the bad luck in some moments was hard on him and hard on us.
“Our thinking was to have a change in the goalkeepers, but I wish the best for Andre. He was really good in training, trying to help the players.
"Sometimes you can have all the quality in the world, but you need to change the environment to return to your level. That was the feeling for us and for Andre.”
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André Onana failed to live up to expectations during his time at Manchester United and has now been replaced
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Onana’s struggles mirrored a difficult period for United, who finished 15th in the Premier League table and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.
His high-profile mistakes against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray in his first season drew heavy criticism, and his form never truly recovered.
Amorim confirmed that Bayindir would remain in goal for Sunday’s clash against Manchester City, with Lammens expected to be eased into the squad over the coming weeks.
“Altay will start the derby,” Amorim said.
“He deserves it for the way he has performed since coming into the team.”
While United remain open to reassessing their goalkeeping situation next summer, the expectation is that Lammens will eventually take over as first choice.
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Altay Bayindir will start for Manchester United against Manchester City on Sunday
| GETTYThe Red Devils face a City side who will be determined to return to winning ways, having struggled so far this term.
Their season started well enough with a convincing victory over Wolves on matchday one.
But they've since lost to Tottenham and Brighton, with pressure mounting on manager Pep Guardiola as a result.