Copyright dailystar
Manchester United loanee Andre Onana 's performances since his September switch to Trabzonspor have been labelled as "outstanding". Onana was permitted to depart Old Trafford during the summer following a string of horror performances for the Red Devils and following Senne Lammens' arrival at the club. Following a defeat to Fenerbahce on his Trabzonspor bow, the £47m flop at Old Trafford hasn't tasted defeat since and could move there permanently - but there's a major stumbling block. His team are presently enjoying a four-match winning streak that has propelled them to second place in the standings before Saturday's clash with table-toppers Galatasaray. Prior to that fixture, the Manchester Evening News chatted with Trabzonspor sports correspondent Hasan Tuncel to assess Onana's stint at the Turkish outfit thus far . "In one word: outstanding," Tuncel responded when questioned about how Onana had performed during his initial months at the club. "Onana's debut came in the match against Fenerbahce. Trabzonspor lost 1–0, but the story of that game was far deeper than the scoreline. "A Trabzonspor goal was controversially disallowed, creating real tension on the pitch. During that chaos, Onana's leadership stood out - he calmed his teammates, used his experience, and pulled off some remarkable saves." "From that moment on, not just the fans in Turkey but everyone watching internationally saw that he is still a top-level goalkeeper. He has maintained the same standard in the following matches. "His performance against Kayserispor was phenomenal - he practically saved every shot on target. In the match against Eyupspor, his two crucial saves were instrumental in keeping Trabzonspor's title hopes alive. "So far, he's been flawless. Beyond his goalkeeping, he's become a leader in the dressing room. "He personally mentors three young goalkeepers - Onuralp Cevikkan, Ahmet Dogan Yildirim, and Erolcan Colak - guiding them during and after training sessions. This mentorship has earned him great respect within the club." Tuncel acknowledged that the reaction to Onana's arrival amongst the Trabzonspor faithful was initially cautious. Onana represented a substantial investment for the club and his struggles at United had been widely reported in Turkey. Nevertheless, the reception he received upon his arrival surpassed that of previous high-profile signings. "In Trabzonspor's culture, big-name signings are usually welcomed with great passion - but Onana's arrival was something beyond the usual," he revealed. "We've seen large crowds at the airport before for players like Daniel Sturridge or John Obi Mikel, yet Onana's reception had a different atmosphere. Because he arrived with his family, the club decided to organize a more personalized and emotional welcome. "Fans interacted with him directly, telling him: 'Don't worry, we're with you all the way.' That moment, combined with Onana's smile, created a very symbolic image. "Players who come with their families usually adapt much faster - and that's a crucial factor in professional football. Onana taking this process seriously and settling in with his family was seen as a very positive sign by both the club and its supporters." There is a sense that Onana has found the right environment to thrive but the chances of him signing permanently look to be slim. "The club is extremely happy with his performances, but given the transfer fee Manchester United paid for him, a permanent deal looks financially difficult at the moment," Tuncel admitted. "However, if Onana continues at this level and United lower their asking price, I have no doubt Trabzonspor would be interested in making a formal move. "For now, the focus is on having Onana mentor the club's young goalkeepers and aid their development. But if conditions become favourable, Trabzonspor would certainly love to keep him on a permanent basis."
