Onana Wants Man Utd Return But Romano Says It Won’t Happen

A Manchester United player shipped out on loan last summer is reportedly harboring ambitions of a return to Old Trafford, believing a pathway back to the first team exists. However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, those hopes are likely misplaced.

The summer 2025 transfer window at Manchester United may, in retrospect, prove to be a watershed moment for the club. While the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha immediately bolstered the attack, and Benjamin Sesko is beginning to find his footing, the most impactful change has arguably been between the posts.

Senne Lammens, acquired for a remarkably modest £18 million, has quickly established himself as one of the league’s top goalkeepers. His arrival effectively ended Andre Onana’s tenure as the Red Devils’ number one, leading to a loan spell with Trabzonspor.

Onana’s loan deal does not include a purchase option, meaning he is due to return to Manchester United at the end of the current season. However, according to The Guardian, the 29-year-old is “intent on reclaiming [his] place in Manchester United team next season,” and reportedly “believes he will be given a chance to do so.”

That belief, however, appears to be significantly out of step with the club’s plans. Romano revealed earlier this month that Manchester United have already made a firm decision regarding Onana’s future.

“Who’s going to leave the club? For sure in the summer it’s going to be Andre Onana,” Romano stated on YouTube on February 5th, 2026. “Onana is on loan at Trabzonspor and Man Utd’s decision is already quite clear. They’re not expected to continue with Onana next summer.”

Onana arrived at Old Trafford in July 2023 for a fee of £47.2 million, tasked with implementing a new playing style. However, his time at the club was marred by errors and inconsistent performances. In contrast, Lammens has provided a level of stability and reliability that was sorely lacking during Onana’s tenure.

The contrast is stark. While Onana conceded 150 goals in 102 appearances for Manchester United, keeping just 24 clean sheets, Lammens has quickly become a cornerstone of the team. The financial implications are also significant; United are likely to accept a considerably lower fee than they originally paid for Onana, particularly given his current salary.

Romano highlighted the financial challenges of moving Onana on, stating, “A permanent deal would be very different financially compared to a loan, especially considering Onana’s salary, and this will be a key factor in any future negotiations.”

While reports have surfaced linking Onana with a potential return to Inter Milan, Romano indicated that a move back to the San Siro is not currently a viable option for the Cameroonian goalkeeper.

The situation underscores a successful overhaul of the Manchester United squad, spearheaded by the club’s new recruitment team. The acquisition of Lammens, in particular, has been lauded as a masterstroke, potentially securing the goalkeeper position for the next decade. As one report noted, the success of the signing is a testament to the work of the club’s new leadership.

Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford is reportedly seeking a different role at Barcelona, though a transfer to the Camp Nou is still progressing. The club is also laying the groundwork for potential moves for Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White, demonstrating a proactive approach to strengthening the squad.

For Onana, however, the writing appears to be on the wall. Despite his desire to return to Manchester United, the club has already made its decision, and the emergence of Senne Lammens has rendered his services surplus to requirements. His future likely lies elsewhere, but a return to Old Trafford seems increasingly improbable.