Andre Onana is worried that he could lose his place as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper if he plays at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Manchester United forked out £43.3 million to bring the former Ajax goalkeeper to the English Premier League on a five-year deal with an option of a year extension.
The Cameroon international instantly solidified himself as Erik ten Hag’s first-choice shoot-stopper after arriving from Inter Milan, where he was an essential part of the Italian club's run to the final of the UEFA Champions League last season.
After trying out several targets to succeed David de Gea, who departed the club following the expiration of his deal last season, the club settled for Onana who has been in poor form so far this season.
2023 AFCON will kick off on January 13 and players are expected to report for international duty at the beginning of the month, with the final to be played on February 11 in Ivory Coast.
However, Andre Onana is likely to be called up for the AFCON competition and could miss four Premier League games.
The former Inter Milan player left international football after a controversy with the Cameroon head coach, Rigobert Song, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup but has since made himself available.
Song brought back the 27-year-old to the squad in September 2023, after a nine-month exile and he has started in three of Cameroon's last five matches.
Onana was to be blamed for two of Galatasaray’s goals in Manchester United’s 3-3 Champions League draw on Wednesday, November 29.
He has played every match for the Old Trafford outfit this season, including in the Carabao Cup, but the pressure is accumulating on him after his latest blunders.
Man United acquired Altay Bayindir in the summer from Fenerbahce to be Onana’s backup and the 25-year-old would get a chance to clarify his worth to head coach, Erik Ten Hag if Onana leaves for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Tom Heaton, the third-choice goalkeeper could also get a chance as a possible backup in the absence of Andre Onana.
Should Onana be authorized to represent Cameroon, summer signing Altay Bayindir is required to keep his place in goal for Man United.
Bayindir is yet to make his debut but in the trace of the 3-3 draw with Galatasaray, Man United boss Erik ten Hag emphasized he would get his shot.
Speaking on goalkeeper selection, Erik ten Hag said; "We are very pleased with the goalkeeper group".
"Andre, Altay, Tom, as a group, they do really well, they have good understandings and they have to push each other.
"Altay, he gets used to the Premier League, he gets used to European football, which is tough when you’re coming from Turkey."
He added; "But we are very pleased with that process, he’s doing very well. He has to be patient, but if he works well if he keeps his progress, he will get his chances and then he has to take this".
What's next for Andre Onana?
The 27-year-old shot-stopper will remain focused on the next Premier League games before the AFCON kick-off as Man United are getting prepared to face Newcastle United on Saturday, December 2.
Manchester United forked out £43.3 million to bring the former Ajax goalkeeper to the English Premier League on a five-year deal with an option of a year extension.
The Cameroon international instantly solidified himself as Erik ten Hag’s first-choice shoot-stopper after arriving from Inter Milan, where he was an essential part of the Italian club's run to the final of the UEFA Champions League last season.
After trying out several targets to succeed David de Gea, who departed the club following the expiration of his deal last season, the club settled for Onana who has been in poor form so far this season.
2023 AFCON will kick off on January 13 and players are expected to report for international duty at the beginning of the month, with the final to be played on February 11 in Ivory Coast.
However, Andre Onana is likely to be called up for the AFCON competition and could miss four Premier League games.
The former Inter Milan player left international football after a controversy with the Cameroon head coach, Rigobert Song, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup but has since made himself available.
Song brought back the 27-year-old to the squad in September 2023, after a nine-month exile and he has started in three of Cameroon's last five matches.
Onana was to be blamed for two of Galatasaray’s goals in Manchester United’s 3-3 Champions League draw on Wednesday, November 29.
He has played every match for the Old Trafford outfit this season, including in the Carabao Cup, but the pressure is accumulating on him after his latest blunders.
Man United acquired Altay Bayindir in the summer from Fenerbahce to be Onana’s backup and the 25-year-old would get a chance to clarify his worth to head coach, Erik Ten Hag if Onana leaves for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Tom Heaton, the third-choice goalkeeper could also get a chance as a possible backup in the absence of Andre Onana.
Should Onana be authorized to represent Cameroon, summer signing Altay Bayindir is required to keep his place in goal for Man United.
Bayindir is yet to make his debut but in the trace of the 3-3 draw with Galatasaray, Man United boss Erik ten Hag emphasized he would get his shot.
Speaking on goalkeeper selection, Erik ten Hag said; "We are very pleased with the goalkeeper group".
"Andre, Altay, Tom, as a group, they do really well, they have good understandings and they have to push each other.
"Altay, he gets used to the Premier League, he gets used to European football, which is tough when you’re coming from Turkey."
He added; "But we are very pleased with that process, he’s doing very well. He has to be patient, but if he works well if he keeps his progress, he will get his chances and then he has to take this".
What's next for Andre Onana?
The 27-year-old shot-stopper will remain focused on the next Premier League games before the AFCON kick-off as Man United are getting prepared to face Newcastle United on Saturday, December 2.