2 min read
Football Insider

Andre Onana's Manchester United Redemption: A Goalkeeping Battle at Old Trafford

As Andre Onana prepares to return to Manchester United after his loan spell with Trabzonspor, speculation mounts over his future at the club. Onana, backed by compatriot Geremi, is determined to fight for his spot in goal amidst uncertainty surrounding the managerial position at Old Trafford. Can he reclaim his starting position amidst tough competition?

Andre Onana's Manchester United Redemption: A Goalkeeping Battle at Old Trafford

Andre Onana has been backed to fight for his Manchester United place once his loan spell with Trabzonspor comes to a close in the summer. The Cameroon international moved to the Turkish Super Lig side for the season last September following the arrival of Senne Lammens from Belgian side Antwerp. The 23-year-old has since established himself as first choice at Old Trafford.Lammens leapfrogged Altay Bayinder in the pecking order shortly after his Manchester arrival on deadline day, which ultimately saw Onana depart for Trabzonspor earlier in the season. The 29-year-old has been a regular feature for the Turkish outfit since his move to Papara Park.Even so, the Cameroon international is expected to return to United in the summer when his loan deal with Trabzon expires, and he'll hope Ruben Amorim's exit will provide him with a chance to reclaim the starting spot between the sticks at Old Trafford. Onana featured regularly for United following his arrival from Inter in 2023 before he was dropped by the Portuguese boss at the start of the season, with his sole appearance coming in the shock Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby back in August.Michael Carrick will remain in charge of the Manchester powerhouse until the end of the season, and United are undecided on who their next manager will be. Onana, though, is expected to fight for his spot in goal at Old Trafford and snub any potential permanent exits, according to close friend and compatriot Geremi.Speaking to Telecom Asia, the former Chelsea man said of Onana: "Listen, I know Andre very well and during his time at United there were a lot of things that were not right. It wasn’t just him. And believe me, with the arrival of Michael Carrick, things are looking good for everyone, including him."He is clearly talented and his gifts are rare. The next thing is for him to go back there and fight for his spot. Andre has always excelled when faced with a challenge. He thrives when he’s given a fair chance to prove himself."Geremi continued that big clubs need big characters, adding: "In my career I enjoyed playing in teams with big ambitions and big personalities. If I had a few bad games, there was always someone knocking on the manager’s door asking for a chance."That meant I had to stand up, be counted and not walk away. But that is for Andre to decide."However, Onana's hopes of ousting Lammens could be dashed if Carrick remains on as United boss. Carrick, who has overseen five wins and one draw from his six games in charge, spoke highly of the summer signing following Monday's 1-0 win at Everton."For me, as a goalkeeper, to be reliable, to be trustworthy. Instead of creating the chaos, you want them to take the chaos away and calm things down I think Senne is that," Carrick said after the narrow victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium."He’s quite quiet at times and unassuming, but he’s got a real steel in this. To step in, it’s a big, big role for some. And others are talking there about coping and just being comfortable in the environment. Sometimes it takes time, sometimes not. But how he’s gone about it at the moment is that calmness, that composure. I think it does help those in front of him an awful lot."United's victory over the Toffees marked Lammens' fifth clean sheet of the season, a record he'll hope to add to when they face Crystal Palace on Sunday.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingUnited are looking to boost their top-four hopes when they face Palace this weekend. Carrick's side currently sit three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool in fifth and sixth, respectively, as they look to secure Champions League football.Liverpool can go level on 48 points with United with a win over West Ham on Saturday afternoon, while Chelsea make the short trip across the capital to face rivals Arsenal on Sunday evening.

1

The Goalkeeping Dynamics at Old Trafford

Since joining Trabzonspor on loan, Andre Onana has been hailed as a key figure for the Turkish side, earning valuable game time that could potentially aid in his quest to regain the starting goalkeeper position at Manchester United. His return to Old Trafford, however, might bring with it challenges, as the competition with Senne Lammens heats up.

2

Geremi's Endorsement and Insights

Geremi, a close friend and former player, has expressed confidence in Onana's abilities and determination to excel when given a fair opportunity. Highlighting Onana's talent and resilience in the face of challenges, Geremi believes that the Cameroonian goalkeeper has what it takes to shine in a competitive environment like United.

3

Carrick's Perspective and Lammens' Impact

Interim manager Michael Carrick has praised Senne Lammens for his composure and reliability in goal, emphasizing the importance of a goalkeeper who can bring calmness to the team. With Lammens delivering notable performances and securing clean sheets, the battle for the starting goalkeeper role intensifies, posing a significant challenge for Onana.

4

Looking Ahead: Onana's Fight for Redemption

As United strive to secure a top-four finish, the competition between goalkeepers at the club adds an intriguing dimension to their campaign. Onana's determination to prove himself, combined with the uncertainty surrounding the managerial situation, sets the stage for an intense battle for the goalkeeping position at Old Trafford. Will Andre Onana emerge victorious in his quest for redemption?

Published on Feb 28, 2026