Andre Onana’s much-anticipated debut for Trabzonspor ended in a 1-0 defeat to Fenerbahce on Sunday night, but the Cameroonian goalkeeper still left a strong impression on his new supporters.
The 29-year-old, who joined on loan last week after a turbulent spell at Manchester United, was immediately thrust into the spotlight against one of the toughest opponents in Turkey. Keen to prove a point, Onana showed flashes of the quality that once made him one of Europe’s most sought-after shot-stoppers.
In typical fashion, Onana’s evening was not without drama. A seemingly harmless effort slipped through his hands, allowing former United target Youssef En-Nesyri to score the only goal of the game. It was the type of lapse that United fans had grown accustomed to during his time in England.
But unlike many of his Premier League outings, Onana responded with resilience. Facing an onslaught from Fenerbahce, he dealt with 29 shots, pulled off eight saves, and prevented 1.63 expected goals. His performance earned him a FotMob rating of 8.7—Man of the Match recognition despite being on the losing side.
Fans React: Praise for Onana, Questions for Manchester United
Social media reaction was quick and largely positive. While some pointed out his costly error, most fans highlighted the goalkeeper’s overall display and questioned Manchester United’s role in his decline.
One X user wrote: “McTominay, Antony, Onana, Højlund… all doing extremely well after leaving Man United. That club knows how to demonise its players.”
Another added: “The curse has been lifted.”
Others went further, suggesting the club itself was the issue rather than the players: “It’s high time we all believed that the problem at United is not the coach or the players. How come they all get so good once they leave?”
A different supporter put it bluntly: “Onana has definitely found his league and level.”
A Fresh Start in Turkey
For Onana, the night represented more than just a debut—it was a chance to hit reset. After being criticised in England for committing the most errors leading to goals during his Premier League stint, the Cameroonian’s commanding display in Istanbul could be a turning point.
If he maintains this level of shot-stopping—while cutting out costly mistakes—Trabzonspor may yet get the best version of a goalkeeper who once played in a Champions League final.
