They thought I was finished, but I’m coming back to take my place. The king is not dead” — André Onana breaks his silence with a defiant message following reports of a “secret meeting” with the board!
In a week already defined by explosive headlines at Manchester United, André Onana has reportedly broken his silence with a message that is sending shockwaves from Manchester to Trabzon. As of mid-February 2026, the Cameroonian goalkeeper—currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor—has allegedly declared that his time at Old Trafford is far from over, despite widespread reports that the club has already moved on.
Here is the detailed, verbose account of the “King’s” defiance and the secret talks behind the scenes.
The “Secret Meeting” and the Lammens Factor
The backdrop to this drama is the meteoric rise of Senne Lammens, the young Belgian goalkeeper signed from Royal Antwerp who has firmly established himself as Manchester United’s new #1 under the guidance of Michael Carrick. With Lammens keeping clean sheets and earning “hero” status among the fans, the narrative had shifted to a permanent exit for Onana, with Inter Milan and Trabzonspor reportedly in talks for a summer 2026 transfer.
However, “inside sources” suggest a secret meeting took place last week between Onana’s representatives and the United board. While many expected the meeting to finalize an exit strategy, the goalkeeper has reportedly used the moment to signal his intent to fight for his place when his loan expires in June.
“The King is Not Dead”
The defiant quote—”They thought I was finished, but I’m coming back to take my place. The king is not dead”—is being interpreted as a direct challenge to the current hierarchy at Old Trafford.
* The Rebirth in Turkey: Onana’s form at Trabzonspor has been a revelation. As of February 2026, he has helped the club climb the Süper Lig table, recording a string of high-save performances that remind the world of the “modern goalkeeper” who led Inter to a Champions League final.
* The Redemption Narrative: Onana allegedly feels he was “scapegoated” during the chaotic final months of the previous regime. His message suggests he believes that under the current stability provided by Carrick, his ball-playing abilities would finally thrive rather than be a liability.
A Dressing Room Dilemma
The timing of this message is critical. While 91% of fans in some polls are backing the current “youth movement” led by Lammens, there is a vocal segment of the Manchester United faithful who still believe Onana’s ceiling is higher than any other keeper in the league.
The reported “defiance” has reportedly divided the locker room’s opinion:
* The New Guard: Focused on the “safety-first” and consistent performances of Lammens.
* The Onana Loyalists: Players who miss the Cameroonian’s leadership and his unique ability to act as an “extra midfielder” during build-up play.
The Stance of the Board
Despite Onana’s “savage” mindset and public confidence, the reality at Carrington remains cold. Reports from transfer insiders like Fabrizio Romano continue to insist that United’s decision is “quite clear” and that they intend to sell him this summer to fund a move for a new backup or a creative midfielder.
For Onana, this is more than a transfer battle; it is a battle for his legacy. By claiming “the king is not dead,” he is betting on his ability to perform so well in Turkey that Manchester United—or another European giant—will be forced to give him the throne once again.
