Unlike other African footballers who have linked up with their national teams for 2023 AFCON, Andre Onana will delay his AFCON call-up and stay put with Manchester United for a crunch Premier League tie on January 14.
Onana has started all Manchester United Premier League and Champions League matches this season. He was set to miss some games for Manchester United as he prepares to join the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for 2023 AFCON.
The Premier League fixed January 1 as deadline for Premier League clubs to release players for AFCON.
The Cameroonian shotstopper and 2023 Champions League finalist would have been a big loss for Erik ten Hag's squad if he had left for AFCON on the fixed deadline.
Erik ten Hag has been scheming for his replacement as the 27-year-old set sight on the continental showpiece.
There were reports linking club legend and former goalkeeper David De Gea to a return on a short-term contract to stand in for Onana but nothing materialized.
Erik ten Hag was also poised to hand £4.3m backup signing from Fenerbahce Altay Bayindir a chance to make his Premier League debut in the absence of Onana.
Now, According to David Ornstein of the Athletic, Manchester United have been given a lifeline by Cameroon FA to play Andre Onana in their next two matches before the player join Cameroon national team for AFCON.
This means Onana will start Manchester United FA Cup match against Wigan on January 8 and a crunch Premier League tie against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 14.
Meanwhile, Cameroon will kick off their 2023 AFCON campaign against Guinea on January 15.
Based on the new arrangement, Andre Onana is expected to fly to Cote D'Ivoire immediately after the Tottenham match to be available for the Indomitable Lions against Guinea.
Why Cameroon allow Andre Onana to report late for AFCON
According to David Ornstein, Andre Onana agreed with Manchester United he will be available for the team throughout his first season before the £47m deal was struck with his former club Inter Milan.
Erik ten Hag is said to have prayed on Cameroon FA to grant the player a lifeline to play the last two matches for United to partly honour the agreement.
Cameroon FA reportedly obliged to the request allowing the player to report a day before Cameroon kick off their AFCON campaign.
Meanwhile, it is understood Andre Onana may end up not missing any Man United match if Cameroon fail to qualify for the knockout of the continental showpiece.
Between January 14 and January 26, Manchester United don't have any fixture. Onana can return to feature for the club on January 27 for FA Cup fourth round fixture if Cameroon fail crash out in the group stage.
Also, if Cameroon exit the tournament in round 16, he could be back for Wolves match on February 1. If the team reach the final of the tournament, Onana will miss Premier League clashes against Wolves, West Ham, and Aston Villa.
Onana has started all Manchester United Premier League and Champions League matches this season. He was set to miss some games for Manchester United as he prepares to join the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for 2023 AFCON.
The Premier League fixed January 1 as deadline for Premier League clubs to release players for AFCON.
The Cameroonian shotstopper and 2023 Champions League finalist would have been a big loss for Erik ten Hag's squad if he had left for AFCON on the fixed deadline.
Erik ten Hag has been scheming for his replacement as the 27-year-old set sight on the continental showpiece.
There were reports linking club legend and former goalkeeper David De Gea to a return on a short-term contract to stand in for Onana but nothing materialized.
Erik ten Hag was also poised to hand £4.3m backup signing from Fenerbahce Altay Bayindir a chance to make his Premier League debut in the absence of Onana.
Now, According to David Ornstein of the Athletic, Manchester United have been given a lifeline by Cameroon FA to play Andre Onana in their next two matches before the player join Cameroon national team for AFCON.
This means Onana will start Manchester United FA Cup match against Wigan on January 8 and a crunch Premier League tie against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 14.
Meanwhile, Cameroon will kick off their 2023 AFCON campaign against Guinea on January 15.
Based on the new arrangement, Andre Onana is expected to fly to Cote D'Ivoire immediately after the Tottenham match to be available for the Indomitable Lions against Guinea.
Why Cameroon allow Andre Onana to report late for AFCON
According to David Ornstein, Andre Onana agreed with Manchester United he will be available for the team throughout his first season before the £47m deal was struck with his former club Inter Milan.
Erik ten Hag is said to have prayed on Cameroon FA to grant the player a lifeline to play the last two matches for United to partly honour the agreement.
Cameroon FA reportedly obliged to the request allowing the player to report a day before Cameroon kick off their AFCON campaign.
Meanwhile, it is understood Andre Onana may end up not missing any Man United match if Cameroon fail to qualify for the knockout of the continental showpiece.
Between January 14 and January 26, Manchester United don't have any fixture. Onana can return to feature for the club on January 27 for FA Cup fourth round fixture if Cameroon fail crash out in the group stage.
Also, if Cameroon exit the tournament in round 16, he could be back for Wolves match on February 1. If the team reach the final of the tournament, Onana will miss Premier League clashes against Wolves, West Ham, and Aston Villa.
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