Andre Onana Responds to Pep Guardiola Praise as He Rediscovers Form at Trabzonspor

From Manchester United Flop to Trabzonspor Revival: Onana’s Journey Comes Full Circle

There’s a certain irony to it all. Just a year ago, Andre Onana was being torn apart by pundits and fans alike — his debut season at Manchester United marred by high-profile blunders, costly mistakes, and the crushing weight of expectation that comes with guarding the posts at Old Trafford. But football, as ever, has a way of offering redemption in the unlikeliest of places.

Now, under the floodlights of the Papara Park in Turkey’s Super Lig, Onana is quietly rebuilding the career many thought had slipped beyond repair. And as Pep Guardiola’s old words of admiration resurface — words that once hailed him as a tactical innovator between the posts — the Cameroonian goalkeeper is proving why that praise may never have been misplaced.

Guardiola’s Admiration Still Echoes

When Guardiola speaks, the football world listens. Ahead of the 2023 Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan, the Spaniard singled out Onana’s role in Simone Inzaghi’s build-up play as one of the defining features of that Nerazzurri team.

“The goalkeeper, Onana, makes it really difficult to deploy a high press,” Guardiola had said. “You cannot press the goalkeeper properly. They are masters at keeping the ball right up to the attackers. With the ball, Onana is exceptional.”

It was high praise from a man who has redefined modern football through his obsession with control and structure — and hearing it from Guardiola meant something special for Onana. But as his form spiraled during his spell at United, that compliment started to feel like a ghost from a different lifetime — a reminder of a player who seemed to have vanished under the relentless pressure of the Premier League spotlight.

Manchester United: A Chapter to Forget

One of Onana’s biggest praises once came from Guardiola,

Onana’s year at Old Trafford was a brutal education in how quickly things can change. Arriving as Erik ten Hag’s handpicked signing from Inter Milan, he was supposed to revolutionize United’s approach to playing from the back. Instead, he became the face of their inconsistency.

From early Champions League howlers to erratic domestic performances, the Cameroonian found himself under siege — both on the pitch and in the press. By the time United signed Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens and promoted Altay Bayindir, the writing was on the wall.

For all his qualities, Onana had lost what makes any great goalkeeper tick: confidence. Every pass, every catch, every decision was second-guessed. For a man whose game was built on swagger and audacity, that loss of self-belief proved fatal.

Fresh Start, Fresh Mindset: Life in Turkey

When the summer transfer window closed across Europe, Onana’s options were limited. But Trabzonspor offered him what he needed most — a clean slate and a stage away from the noise.

Many were surprised by his decision to join the Black Sea club, who had finished a modest seventh in the Super Lig the previous season. But for Onana, it was less about prestige and more about peace.

And it’s paying off.

Since joining on loan, the 29-year-old has looked reborn. In his recent outing against Eyüpspor, Onana pulled off four vital saves and completed 86% of his passes, drawing applause from fans and pundits alike. The club’s official X (formerly Twitter) account dubbed him “The Wall” — a nickname that seems to have stuck.

Yet, Onana remains humble.

“Most of the time, the important thing for me is to try to do the best for the team,” he said in a recent interview. “If I have to create a play, I analyse it first — how the opponents press, where the space is. Then I make my decision. Hearing such words from Pep Guardiola means a lot, but in the end, it’s my teammates who make it all possible.”

It’s a subtle, but telling shift. The old Onana wanted to prove a point. The new one just wants to play football.

The Guardiola Influence and Tactical Confidence

While Onana resurgence has sparked joy at Trabzonzpor

For all his struggles at United, one thing has never been in doubt: Onana’s technical brilliance with the ball. Guardiola’s comments weren’t empty flattery — they were recognition of a goalkeeper whose understanding of the game goes far beyond shot-stopping.

At Trabzonspor, that intelligence is being rediscovered. His calmness under pressure, ability to break lines with passes, and confidence in initiating attacks have transformed the team’s approach.

The Super Lig might not have the glamour of the Premier League, but it’s giving Onana room to breathe, to experiment, and — crucially — to rediscover joy in the game.

Trabzonspor coach Abdullah Avcı has given him full freedom to play his natural game, often building from the back through Onana’s feet. It’s a trust he’s rewarding with performances that have rekindled belief among supporters who once doubted him.

What Comes Next?

Despite his resurgence, Onana’s long-term future remains uncertain. His loan deal at Trabzonspor runs until June 2026, but crucially, there’s no option to buy.

If his form continues to rise, United could see an opportunity to either reintegrate him or sell at a premium. Yet, it’s equally likely that Onana himself will prefer to stay where he feels valued. Trabzonspor, whose record transfer stands at around €7 million, would have to perform financial gymnastics to secure him permanently.

But for now, that conversation can wait.

All eyes are on this weekend’s Super Lig clash against Galatasaray in Istanbul — a defining test of Onana’s rebirth. A strong performance there, under the heat of one of Europe’s most intimidating atmospheres, could confirm what many are starting to believe: that the Cameroonian is back.

A Story of Redemption Still Being Written

Football has no shortage of redemption arcs, but few are as satisfying as seeing a player rebuild himself after public humiliation. Andre Onana has gone from being mocked as a Premier League liability to becoming a cult hero in Trabzon.

And perhaps that’s the beauty of the sport. Sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery — a new culture, a different kind of pressure — to remind someone who they are.

As Guardiola once noted, Onana isn’t just a goalkeeper. He’s a playmaker, a thinker, a risk-taker. That blend of courage and calculation is returning, one game at a time.

Maybe this chapter in Turkey won’t end with trophies or record-breaking transfers. Maybe it’s simply about rediscovering love for the game that once defined him.

Either way, Andre Onana has found something in Trabzon that money and fame can’t buy — peace, purpose, and the quiet satisfaction of proving everyone wrong.