Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana ‘wants to delay AFCON exit’

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is in talks with the Cameroon FA in a bid to delay his exit for the Africa Cup of Nations, according to a report.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is reportedly holding discussions with the Cameroon FA in a bid to delay his exit to the Africa Cup of Nations for as long as possible.
Onana’s international career appeared to be over when he left the camp at the 2022 World Cup following a falling-out with head coach Rigobert Song and the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation Samuel Eto’o.

However, the stopper returned to the set-up in September, and it was announced on Thursday that he had been named in the Cameroon squad for the AFCON tournament.

The tournament is due to run from January 13 to February 11, with Cameroon having group matches on January 15 against Guinea, January 19 against Senegal and January 23 against Gambia.

However, the national side are also due to take part in a warm-weather training camp, with a friendly against Zambia scheduled for January 9, one day after Man United take on Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

According to ESPN, Onana wants to limit his time away from the Red Devils, and he is in discussions with the Cameroon FA in a bid to delay his exit from club action for as long as possible.

The report claims that the summer arrival from Inter Milan is determined to be available for the FA Cup clash with Wigan, and he could potentially play in that match before linking up with the Cameroon squad.

Man United will be in Premier League action against Tottenham Hotspur on January 14, which is their only league game next month, but they will also be in FA Cup fourth-round action at the end of the month if they overcome Wigan in the third round.

Man United head coach Erik ten Hag was asked about the situation during his press conference on Friday and said that discussions were taking place.

“The situation is that we are talking, we have good relationships with all the federations. It’s about Sofyan [Amrabat], it’s about Hannibal [Mejbri], it’s about Andre. So, we’re talking with them,” Ten Hag told reporters.

Altay Bayindir is set to feature between the sticks in Onana’s absence, with the Turkey international’s debut potentially coming against Tottenham on January 14.

Tom Heaton is also at the club and will be promoted to number two while Onana is away, which could be until the middle of February depending on Cameroon’s performance.

Onana has found it difficult to show his best form for Man United since arriving from Inter over the summer, conceding 43 times in his 27 matches between the sticks, keeping only eight clean sheets in the process.

The Cameroonian is due to make his 20th Premier League appearance of the campaign in Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest.

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