Andre Onana is set to lose his place as Manchester United's No.1 goalkeeper after he accepted a 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) call-up from Cameroon on Thursday, December 28.
The former Inter Milan goalie had formerly called it quits on international football due to a disagreement with Cameroon national team head coach, Rigobert Song during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
But the two have settled the cracks in their relationship and the goalkeeper went on to play a pivotal role in the team's AFCON qualifiers.
The former Ajax shot-stopper has been named in Cameroon's 27-man squad for the upcoming African tournament which is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, January 13.
Therefore, Andre Onana is likely to miss four Premier League matches with the Red Devils while gracing the national team duty.
The matches Onana will possibly miss include a home clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers away from Old Trafford, West Ham United at home, and a trip to London to lock horns with Aston Villa.
He could also miss Man United's FA Cup third-round draw away at Wigan which is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 8, if he is expected to attend a pre-tournament camp for Cameroon.
Moreover, he will also be unavailable for a probable fourth-round FA Cup draw, scheduled on the weekend of January 27-28, if the Old Trafford outfit qualify.
Onana was reportedly willing to pull out of AFCON to protect his starting place at Man United after several high-profile mistakes leading to goals between the poles put question marks on his dependability with the gloves.
He allegedly worries that he might find himself to be a bench warmer after coming back from the AFCON tournament if Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayinider can perform up to expectations before his arrival.
Many Man United fans will be looking forward to seeing what the Turkish goalkeeper could do in the absence of Onana.
Therefore, the 25-year-old goalkeeper could use the chance to prove what he's capable of doing.
Altay Bayindir joined Manchester United on September 1, 2023. Since he arrived at the club, he hasn't played a single game for the Red Devils.
Bayindir who was rated at £4.3 million always knew that he would have to wait until after a chance arrived, due to Erik ten Hag's strong interest in £47 million rated Andre Onana.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old might have been a little surprised to reach Christmas and still not play a single minute for his new club.
Who is Altay Bayindir?
Altay Bayındır was born on April 14, 1998. He's a Turkish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper on the Turkey national team.
Bayindir's last action on the pitch was on August 13, when Fenerbahce defeated Gaziantep 2-1 in their league opener.
Since then, his only action has been three international appearances for Turkey, the latest coming against Wales on November 21 when he replaced the injured Ugurcan Cakir in the first half.
Bayindir has made eight outings for his nation but isn't their No 1 with coach Senol Gunes rotating between him, Cakir of Trabzonsp, and Mert Gunok of Besiktas.
The Red Devils goalie presently needs some game time if he is to push to secure his place as Turkey's first-choice goalkeeper at Euro 2024 in the summer.
Meanwhile, Bayindir is uncertain of replacing Onana permanently due to the amount of money Man United have invested in the former Inter Milan shot-stopper.
What's next?
It is decision time for Onana as he finds himself at the center of a predicament after being called up by Cameroon.
FIFA's rules typically require players to accept affirmatively to national team call-ups.
Man United, on the other hand, admitting the intricacy of the condition, have extended its support for Onana in whatever decision it makes and have also been involved in discussions with Cameroon to find an amicable resolution.
The former Inter Milan goalie had formerly called it quits on international football due to a disagreement with Cameroon national team head coach, Rigobert Song during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
But the two have settled the cracks in their relationship and the goalkeeper went on to play a pivotal role in the team's AFCON qualifiers.
The former Ajax shot-stopper has been named in Cameroon's 27-man squad for the upcoming African tournament which is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, January 13.
Therefore, Andre Onana is likely to miss four Premier League matches with the Red Devils while gracing the national team duty.
The matches Onana will possibly miss include a home clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers away from Old Trafford, West Ham United at home, and a trip to London to lock horns with Aston Villa.
He could also miss Man United's FA Cup third-round draw away at Wigan which is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 8, if he is expected to attend a pre-tournament camp for Cameroon.
Moreover, he will also be unavailable for a probable fourth-round FA Cup draw, scheduled on the weekend of January 27-28, if the Old Trafford outfit qualify.
Onana was reportedly willing to pull out of AFCON to protect his starting place at Man United after several high-profile mistakes leading to goals between the poles put question marks on his dependability with the gloves.
He allegedly worries that he might find himself to be a bench warmer after coming back from the AFCON tournament if Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayinider can perform up to expectations before his arrival.
Many Man United fans will be looking forward to seeing what the Turkish goalkeeper could do in the absence of Onana.
Therefore, the 25-year-old goalkeeper could use the chance to prove what he's capable of doing.
Altay Bayindir joined Manchester United on September 1, 2023. Since he arrived at the club, he hasn't played a single game for the Red Devils.
Bayindir who was rated at £4.3 million always knew that he would have to wait until after a chance arrived, due to Erik ten Hag's strong interest in £47 million rated Andre Onana.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old might have been a little surprised to reach Christmas and still not play a single minute for his new club.
Who is Altay Bayindir?
Altay Bayındır was born on April 14, 1998. He's a Turkish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper on the Turkey national team.
Bayindir's last action on the pitch was on August 13, when Fenerbahce defeated Gaziantep 2-1 in their league opener.
Since then, his only action has been three international appearances for Turkey, the latest coming against Wales on November 21 when he replaced the injured Ugurcan Cakir in the first half.
Bayindir has made eight outings for his nation but isn't their No 1 with coach Senol Gunes rotating between him, Cakir of Trabzonsp, and Mert Gunok of Besiktas.
The Red Devils goalie presently needs some game time if he is to push to secure his place as Turkey's first-choice goalkeeper at Euro 2024 in the summer.
Meanwhile, Bayindir is uncertain of replacing Onana permanently due to the amount of money Man United have invested in the former Inter Milan shot-stopper.
What's next?
It is decision time for Onana as he finds himself at the center of a predicament after being called up by Cameroon.
FIFA's rules typically require players to accept affirmatively to national team call-ups.
Man United, on the other hand, admitting the intricacy of the condition, have extended its support for Onana in whatever decision it makes and have also been involved in discussions with Cameroon to find an amicable resolution.