Andre Onana’s AFCON departure expected to be further delayed by Man Utd

In order to play Tottenham Hotspur before joining Cameroon for their Africa Cup of Nations campaign, Manchester United is hoping Andre Onana will be available.

After an argument with the management before the 2022 World Cup, Onana announced his retirement from international competition last year. However, he later played for Cameroon during their September internationals and was called up for the AFCON this winter.

Nations can call up players starting on January 1st, but United just obtained permission to retain Onana for their FA Cup third-round match on January 8 at Wigan Athletic. It was stated, though, that United is now making an effort to hold onto Onana for their vital Premier League match against Tottenham on January 14—one day before Cameroon is scheduled to kick off their AFCON campaign.

Serhou Guirassy, a striker target for United, will represent Guinea in Cameroon’s group stage opener on January 15. Subsequently, on January 19 and January 23, they play Senegal, the current champions, respectively.

Following the game against Spurs, Onana is expected to depart Old Trafford promptly. Before Cameroon’s match against Guinea begins at 5 p.m. the following afternoon, he would board a seven-hour journey to their camp in the Ivory Coast.

If Cameroon gets eliminated at the group stage, it’s possible that Onana won’t miss any United games at all. He might be back in time for either United’s Premier League away match at Wolves on February 1st or an FA Cup fourth-round fixture on the weekend of January 27/28 if their last game is against Gambia on January 23.

United would likely rely on Altay Bayindir, a summer signing who hasn’t made an appearance since coming from Fenerbahce if Onana isn’t available.