Andre Onana ‘is reluctant to join the Cameroon squad in the Africa Cup of Nations’ in January after telling Erik ten Hag he had no plans to end his international retirement
- Andre Onana could miss a month if called up for the Africa Cup of Nations
- The 27-year-old has struggled in his first three months at Manchester United
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Andre Onana is reportedly so committed to be a success at Manchester United that he is reluctant to join up with Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations, after telling Erik ten Hag he did not want to end his international retirement.
The 27-year-old replaced David De Gea at Old Trafford following a £47million move from Ajax, but his first three months in England have been disappointing.
Onana has kept just three cleans sheets in 11 appearances in all competitions, conceding 12 goals in eight Premier League appearances.
It has been a similarly difficult story in the Champions League, where the Cameroonian has let in seven goals in two matches and made crucial mistakes in the defeats to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
Despite the criticism, Erik ten Hag remains committed to Onana, whom he coached at Ajax and who he regards as pivotal in implementing a more progressive style of play.
Andre Onana is reportedly so committed to be a success at Manchester United that he is reluctant to join up with Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations
The Cameroonian has struggled in his three months at Manchester United
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And according to the ESPN, the United shot-stopped is so determined to be a success at Old Trafford that he is reluctant to represent his country in the Africa Cup of Nations early next year if selected.
The tournament gets underway in the Ivory Coast on January 13 and runs until February 11, after being pushed back from the summer of 2023 due to concerns over the rainy season in the country.
United are set to discuss the issue in January, but are aware it may be difficult for some of Cameroon’s biggest players to pull out of the tournament.
Onana quit the national team after he was sent home from the World Cup in Qatar last December following a fall-out with coach Rigobert Song.
According to ESPN, during his contract negotiations with United, Onana told ten Hag he was unlikely to return to the Cameroon fold.
However, following pressure from the Cameroon FA and the Cameroonian government, he made himself available for selection again for his country’s final AFCON qualifier against Burundi last month.
Erik ten Hag could lose Onana for up to a month in January if Cameroon reach the final
Onana quit the national team after he was sent home from the World Cup in Qatar last December following a fall-out with coach Rigobert Song (left)
The match against Burundi last month was Onana’s first with Cameroon since the 1-0 loss to Switzerland in his nation’s first Group G at the 2022 World Cup
THE GAMES ONANA COULD MISS
The tournament runs from January 13 until February 11. Premier League unless stated
W/C January 8 Possible Carabao Cup semi-final, first leg
January 13 Tottenham (H)
W/C January 22 Possible Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg
January 27/28 Possible FA Cup fourth round
January 30 Wolves (A)
February 3 West Ham (H)
February 10 Aston Villa (A)
The 27-year-old initially committed to just play in that fixture, but is now expected to play in the tournament.
If Cameroon go all the way, Onana could miss four Premier League matches against Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa.
In addition, he could also miss the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-finals and the FA Cup fourth round if United progress that far.
The first Champions League last-16 ties are scheduled for the week after the AFCON final, too, meaning Onana could face a tight turnaround travelling back to England if Cameroon get that far and United reach the knockout stages.
Should Onana be unavailable, ten Hag could turn to summer signing Altay Bayindir, who joined from Fenerbahce for £3m.
The Dutchman also has 37-year-old keeper Tom Heaton in his squad.
And Onana may not be the only United player absent in January, with Sofyan Amrabat likely to be called up for Morocco, who qualified back in March.
Hannibal Mejbri may play in the competition for Tunisia, while Amad Diallo could be called up by Ivory Coast.
The 21-year-old is yet to feature this term after suffering a knee injury in pre-season, after a superb loan spell at Sunderland returned 14 goals in 39 matches.
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