Manchester United Faces Goalkeeping Uncertainty Ahead of Pre-Season

Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation is set for another busy summer, with uncertainty continuing to surround the long-term plans between the posts.

The club is expected to return for pre-season in mid-July, with a reshaped squad preparing for their opening friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July, just a day before the World Cup final.

Several senior players who are not involved in international duty are expected to form the core group for those early preparations, alongside a number of academy prospects.

One of those senior figures still awaiting clarity over his future is Andre Onana.

Despite knowing Manchester United are actively looking to move him on, the goalkeeper is planning to report back for pre-season training at Carrington.

Onana is due to complete his loan spell at Trabzonspor when they face Konyaspor in the Turkish Cup final on Friday, bringing his stint in Turkey to an end.

During his time there, he made 29 league appearances, helping the club secure a third-place finish and European qualification.

However, his long-term future at Old Trafford remains unclear, with reports suggesting the club is ready to sanction his departure this summer, either permanently or on loan.

United’s goalkeeping hierarchy has shifted significantly over the course of the season, with Andre Onana initially losing his place to Altay Bayındır before Belgium international Senne Lammens emerged as the club’s first-choice option.

Veteran keeper Tom Heaton is also set to remain in the squad after reports emerged United are preparing to hand him a new one-year deal, further crowding the goalkeeping department.

Andre Onana to Return for Wrexham Clash

Onana is part of a small group of United players not heading to the World Cup, meaning he is expected to be involved in early pre-season and BBC Sport reports that he will be in the squad for the Wrexham clash.

His only appearance for United this season came in the shock EFL Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby, underlining how far he has fallen down the pecking order.

Meanwhile, his loan spell in Turkey was seen as a chance to rebuild form, though it now appears unlikely to secure him a long-term future in Manchester.

Reports have also indicated that Trabzonspor would struggle to meet United’s valuation, with discussions previously centred around a fee in the region of £38–£42 million.

Earlier this year, Trabzonspor vice-president Zeyyat Kafkas said, “As the figure from Manchester United for the purchase of Andre Onana is in the range of €45-50m, our president has sincerely informed the community in line with Trabzonspor’s realities.”

Kafkas also suggested that the situation could still evolve depending on future circumstances.

“However, if the conditions change, the situation changes.”

Onana’s significant wages and high-profile status at Old Trafford have also been cited as factors making a backup role unlikely, meaning a summer exit remains the most realistic outcome as United reshape their squad.