Manchester United goalkeeper, Andre Onana, is reportedly set to miss Cameroon's opening match in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 against Guinea. This news comes after discussions between Manchester United and the Cameroon Football Association.
Onana is expected to feature in Manchester United's Premier League home game against Tottenham Hotspur on January 14th. However, this commitment may prevent him from participating in his country's AFCON opener the following day. Reports suggest that due to these commitments, Onana might not arrive at Ivory Coast with enough time to play in the opener.
The report further speculates that there is a possibility that Onana might not play a single minute for Cameroon during the AFCON matches. Given Manchester United’s next game after Tottenham isn't until January 27th, if Cameroon are knocked out of the group stages of the continental competition, it could mean that Onana won’t miss any club games.
After his surprise retirement in 2022, Onana has a point to prove
It should be noted that Onana had announced his retirement from international football back in 2022 following disagreements over tactics with Cameroon manager Rigobert Song. However, he was persuaded back into action by pressure from Cameroon's president and returned for his country in August 2023.
Onana joined The Red Devils from Inter Milan for a reported €51 million fee last summer and has since made an impressive contribution to his new team. He has made a total of 29 appearances across all competitions for Manchester United since joining them.
However, there have been concerns about potential competition within ranks as Altay Bayindir was also signed by The Red Devils last summer from Fenerbahce for £4.3 million but hasn't yet debuted for them. There are suggestions that Onana is worried about losing his position as the club's first-choice goalkeeper to Bayindir during his absence.
The situation presents a complex scenario for both Onana and Manchester United. While international duty calls, club commitments and potential competition within the team add another layer of complexity. As sports fans and betting enthusiasts alike watch closely, it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold in the coming weeks.
