Andre Onana error as Cameroon lose to Cape Verde as Manchester United goalkeeper nears loan move to Trabzonspor
Onana’s costly mistake in World Cup qualifier came as documents were agreed on a season-long loan to Turkish side Trabzonspor
Andre Onana gave away a goal in Cameroon’s 1-0 defeat to Cape Verde on Tuesday and looks set to leave Manchester United on a season-long loan to Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor, with paperwork and terms reported to be agreed.
The error came in the 37th minute when Cape Verde forward Rocha Livramento carried the ball into the heart of the Cameroonian defence, finished one-on-one after being left with space, and helped seal Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup qualification. The match in Praia was a decisive top-versus-second qualifier in the African section for next summer’s tournament.
Onana’s decision to stay on his line before appearing to dive away as Livramento struck a side-footed effort drew immediate criticism from some observers and added to a period of scrutiny for the 29-year-old goalkeeper. Cameroon’s loss leaves the nation in second place in their qualifying group and potentially facing a playoff to reach the World Cup.
Sources close to the player and to Manchester United say Onana has agreed personal terms to join Trabzonspor on loan. Reports indicate United will not receive a loan fee and there is no option for the Turkish club to make the move permanent when the deal expires on June 30. The move is expected to be announced imminently, with the player due to travel to Turkey later this week.
Onana joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023 in a transfer believed to be worth about £47 million. Since arriving in the Premier League he has been criticised for a number of high-profile mistakes under managers Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, and his final appearances for United included a difficult outing last month in a home defeat at Grimsby Town.
Manchester United strengthened their goalkeeping ranks this summer, signing Senne Lammens from Belgian club Antwerp in a deal reported at £21.7 million. Club officials are understood to have told Onana he would not be prevented from seeking first-team opportunities elsewhere, and contact with Trabzonspor accelerated as that club moved to replace goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, who is on the verge of a transfer to Galatasaray.
Reports say Onana will join Trabzonspor on a season-long loan that doubles his Manchester United wages. The Turkish transfer window closes Friday, and both clubs moved quickly to finalise terms before the deadline.
Cameroon manager selection for Tuesday’s match included forwards such as Bryan Mbuemo and midfielder Carlos Baleba, but neither could prevent the historic victory for Cape Verde, whose supporters celebrated the island nation’s first qualification for football’s global finals.
The Cameroonian football federation has not issued an immediate statement on Onana’s performance or his club future. Manchester United declined to comment beyond routine transfer-window acknowledgements, and Trabzonspor had not made a formal announcement at the time of publication.
If completed, the move will offer Onana a chance of consistent playing time away from Old Trafford as the goalkeeper seeks to rebuild form and confidence ahead of the coming season and the remainder of international qualifying. For Cameroon, Tuesday’s result complicates their path to the World Cup and increases the importance of upcoming fixtures in the group.