Andre Onana showed up Man Utd after former player went one better - 'Lost for words'

Andre Onana has been lauded for his performance in his debut match for Trabzonspor, despite ending up on the losing side. The Cameroonian shot-stopper was praised for keeping his team in the game against Fenerbahce, even after his teammate Okay Yokuslu was sent off early in the match.

Despite conceding a goal from Youssef En-Nesyri, which some argue he could have prevented, Onana received commendation from the Turkish press for "single-handedly" keeping his team competitive.

Ruben Amorim, United's head coach, had previously hinted at Onana's leadership qualities when discussing his departure. "He was really good on working, trying to help the players, but sometimes you can have all the quality in the world but you need to change the environment to return to your level, and I think that was the feeling not just for us but Andre as well," the Portuguese coach explained.

Onana is not the only player to flourish after leaving United. Scott McTominay, who now plays for Serie A champions Napoli, is another notable example, with his performances putting him in contention for the Ballon d'Or.

Scott McTominay, who had a challenging final season at Manchester United, has found a new lease of life in Naples. Despite his limited playing time under Erik ten Hag, he made some crucial contributions, including a memorable performance in a comeback win against Brentford.

"The sacrifice that every single player in the group has put forward to the cause," said an emotional McTominay after Antonio Conte's side secured the top spot. "I'm lost for words. It's incredible.

"The people deserve it because they've been behind us from day one, and for me to come and experience this is a dream," he added. While Napoli showed great resilience and commitment to clinch the biggest prize in Italian football, the same cannot be said for Old Trafford.

McTominay may be an extreme case, but he's not alone. Marcus Rashford, feeling stifled at his childhood club, flourished at Aston Villa, while Jadon Sancho, despite his fallout with former boss Ten Hag, played significant roles in Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea's runs to two European finals.

There's also been much discussion about the fact that few players have seen their careers flourish since joining United. These aren't just any players - they're footballers who have excelled in different environments, only to find it difficult to replicate their success at Old Trafford.

Onana, much like McTominay before him, could be the latest example that a player's full potential can only be realised when the broader environment shifts. However, instigating such change is evidently no simple feat.