Context:

Manchester United are close to loaning Andre Onana back to Trabzonspor for a second season, as Senne Lammens has emerged as the club’s clear first-choice goalkeeper. Onana’s place at Old Trafford has diminished after Lammens’ arrival and a productive 2025-26 season that culminated in a Turkish Cup triumph. A permanent sale to recoup part of the 2023 £47.2m outlay is unlikely, so another temporary spell is viewed as practical for all parties. The arrangement also spares United an awkward pre-season retraining scenario while they look to backfill the deputy goalkeeper role. The club's focus is now on targeted signings to sustain progress toward a Champions League return.

Dive Deeper:

• United are negotiating terms to send Onana back to Trabzonspor for a second consecutive loan, with Lammens established as the undisputed number one at Old Trafford.

• Onana, 30, lost his spot after Lammens arrived and helped Trabzonspor win the Turkish Cup in May, signaling a potential for a continued loan rather than a sale.

• Manchester United reportedly own a two-year contract remain­ing for Onana and his high £120,000-a-week wages, which makes a bench role unattractive and a loan more sensible.

• The club sees keeping Onana in Turkey as preferable to an awkward pre-season dynamic at Carrington, given his extroverted personality and the need for regular game time.

• Senne Lammens’ emergence has reshaped United’s goalkeeping hierarchy, with his strong debut season earning him recognition as the club’s first-choice shot-stopper.

• With veteran Tom Heaton extended for a year and a potential deputy hunt underway, United are eyeing targets such as Karl Darlow and Sam Johnstone to replace Altay Bayindir if he departs.