Onana loaned out, is Manchester United’s "Ten Hag Army" falling apart?

By Han Bing Following Serné Ramens’ arrival, Onana was included in Manchester United’s purge of Ten Hag’s former squad known as the "Ten Hag Army." After Trabzonspor agreed to pay Onana’s full wages, United could finally let go of this "error-prone" keeper. Although Bayındır also had mediocre league performances, the humiliating League Cup exit against League Two side Grimsby drastically changed the Cameroonian’s fate. Rumors in the Red Devils’ locker room even suggested that 39-year-old veteran goalkeeper Heaton was more reliable than Onana. Onana, who joined United two years ago for a record €50 million, has made nine errors leading directly to goals — a shameful record unmatched by any other goalkeeper in the top five leagues during the same period, convincing United to exile him decisively.

Galatasaray broke the Turkish Süper Lig and domestic goalkeeper transfer record by signing Turkish national keeper Çakır from Trabzonspor for €33 million plus €3 million. This forced Trabzonspor to sign a world-class goalkeeper to avoid disappointing their fans. Initially, the club considered signing a local keeper from the Süper Lig, but after Fenerbahçe acquired Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson from Manchester City for €11 million, Trabzonspor turned their attention to the Premier League. Between Manchester City’s backup Ortega and Manchester United’s Onana, Trabzonspor chose the more famous latter.

Trabzonspor’s cost to loan Onana for one season includes a €7 million annual salary plus signing bonuses and appearance-related incentives, totaling over €10 million. This expense is only about one-third of the income from selling Çakır, making it fully affordable for Trabzonspor. Onana is now the highest-paid goalkeeper in the Süper Lig, with a market value (€25 million) exceeding Ederson’s (€20 million), making him also the league’s most valuable goalkeeper. Onana will officially debut on September 11, coincidentally facing his former rival Ederson and Fenerbahçe on September 14 in his first match.

With Onana’s departure, very few of the 12 members of Ten Hag’s "Ten Hag Army" remain at Manchester United.

Since Ten Hag took charge of Manchester United in summer 2022, he signed up to 10 players with Ajax or Eredivisie backgrounds across five transfer windows. Among them, Antony (€95 million), Lisandro Martínez (€57.5 million), Onana (€50 million), De Ligt (€45 million), and Mazraoui (€15 million) were his favorites from Ajax, while Amrabat (€10 million, loan) was a trusted player from his Utrecht days.

Midfielder Eriksen, who joined on a free transfer, also came from Ajax, along with Dutch striker Weghorst (€2.85 million, loan), Zirkzee (€42.5 million), and wing-back Malacia (€15 million). Altogether, Manchester United spent nearly €333 million! Van de Beek, who stayed at United after Ten Hag’s arrival in 2022, was also part of his Ajax squad. Although Højlund (€77.8 million) has no Dutch football background, after joining Ten Hag’s agency, he is generally considered part of the "Ten Hag Army" as well.

Among them, Weghorst, Amrabat, and Van de Beek left while Ten Hag was still at United. After Ten Hag’s departure in early 2025 winter, his favorites Antony and Malacia were loaned out. This summer, United continued clearing the "Ten Hag Army": Antony moved to Real Betis for only €22 million, Eriksen was released, and both Højlund and Onana were loaned out. Højlund went to Napoli with a €6 million loan fee, and if Napoli qualifies for the Champions League next summer, a €44 million buyout clause will be triggered, slightly reducing United’s losses. However, Onana’s loan had no fee or buyout clause, so United only saved one season’s salary.

Manchester United is still racing against time to find a new club for Malacia. If Malacia moves, only De Ligt, Lisandro Martínez, Mazraoui, and Zirkzee will remain from the "Ten Hag Army."