Manchester United are attempting to completely overhaul their wage bill next season. Casemiro's exit has already been confirmed, eliminating £18 million from their yearly wages. Players like Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho will also hopefully depart, allowing United to tighten their purse strings.
The savings will enable United to both operate more efficiently, and also be able to reinvest that money on new players. But in the case of one player, United may struggle to shift his wages off the books.
Andre Onana might cause a financial headache for Man United next season
Andre Onana had a troubled time as Manchester United's first team goalkeeper. Signed as David De Gea's replacement in 2023, the Cameroonian made a string of high profile mistakes that cost United points on multiple occasions.
After another disastrous performance against Grimsby in August, Onana was shipped off to Trabzonspor in Turkey on a straight loan deal, with no option to buy. Trabzonspor agreed to pay Onana's wage in its entirety, but there is currently no indication that he will join the Turkish side permanently.
While there are reports that Inter are interested in resigning their former goalkeeper, it is becoming increasingly likely that Onana will return to Old Trafford, largely due to his large wage, due to be even larger if United qualify for the Champions League.
Onana has been vocal in the past about his support of the Andre Onana Foundation, a charity he funds to provide medical care to underfunded communities in Africa. Onana's commitment to the charity means he is keen to prioritize his salary in the club he plays for.
If United qualify for the Champions League, his wage will be automatically boosted, and Onana will be unlikely to depart to a team like Inter Milan where he is virtually guaranteed to be earning much less. If Andre Onana returns to United, his wage would cost United up to £9 million a year
It's another occurrence of the wage trap United often find themselves in. Jadon Sancho, for example, became difficult to shift to another club due to his high wage demands, inflated by the enormous wage he earned at United.
Onana is unlikely to reduce his wage demands to facilitate a sale. Unless a club comes in for him of reasonable size, perhaps from the Saudi Arabian league where inflated wages are a main attraction, United may be stuck with him on the books for the remainder of his contract.
Of course, there is a chance that a new manager employs Onana as their first choice goalkeeper. Onana is incident-prone, of course, but has his talents as a goalkeeper, especially with his passing ability. But don't be surprised if Onana and United develops into one of the most frustrating sagas of the summer.