Manchester United flop set for pay INCREASE despite Old Trafford axe: report

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford
Michael Carrick may yet be given the Old Trafford job permanently this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to the latest from talkSPORT transfers correspondent Alex Crook, the Cameroonian international is due a contractual pay increase due to the team finishing in the Premier League's top five, and as a result, qualifying for next season's Champions League.

Onana, widely regarded an Old Trafford flop following an error-strewn stint in the Premier League, is currently spending the season away on loan after losing his place in the starting XI.

Manchester United players in line for 25% pay bump

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana kept just 11 clean sheets last season

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has spent this season on loan in Turkey (Image credit: Getty Images)

This development is not ideal for the Manchester United hierarchy. The club are keen to sell Onana permanently to raise funds for new arrivals, but the impending pay increase makes him harder to move.

Very few clubs in Europe are able to match his current wages, let alone an inflated salary. The player would be well within his contractual rights to be reluctant about moving elsewhere if it involves taking a significant pay cut to facilitate a transfer.

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Onana’s Manchester United career has been defined by high-profile errors and a lack of consistency.

After arriving with a reputation as a world-class ball-playing goalkeeper, he appeared to struggle under the pressure of the English game. Costly blunders in both European and domestic fixtures saw him lose the confidence of the fans and the coaching staff alike, eventually leading to his loan exit.

Under Michael Carrick, Man United have looked more defensively solid, exhibiting a more disciplined approach with current custodian Senne Lammens not likely to be ousted.

While the team’s performances have stabilised and improved under the former Old Trafford midfielder, the financial burden of the Onana deal continues to be a cross the club must bear.

As the summer window approaches, Man United must decide whether to subsidise a move just to get the 'keeper off the books or risk keeping a high-earning, unwanted player at Carrington. Onana is valued at €12 million by Transfermarkt and is contracted to the Manchester club until the summer of 2028.

Joe Donnohue
Senior Digital Writer

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

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