Manchester United wants to keep Andre Onana until January 14 before the African Cup

But although the tensions seem to be a thing of the past, a strange scenario is looming if we believe the reports in the English press.

04/01/2024, 10:30 AM +00:00

Although the last World Cup in Qatar ended with great tensions between André Onana, star goalkeeper of the Cameroonian team, and coach Rigobert Song, which led to his hasty exclusion from the group, Onana is present on the Cameroonian list to compete in the African Cup of Nations.

In fact, although the date of January 1, the FIFA date from which clubs must release their players, has passed, André Onana has not yet left Manchester. According to the Daily Mail, Onana should even play on Monday at Wigan in the Cup and, in addition, the Mancunian club would like to retain Onana until January 14 and until the clash against Tottenham. That is, the day before Cameroon enters the fray against Guinea!

According to what was reported by 'The Athletic', the 27-year-old Cameroonian international goalkeeper plans to play in the FA Cup third round match against Wigan Athletic on Monday, all before receiving the 'spurs' at Old Trafford to, later, join your selection. Both the Cameroonian Federation and the United board verbally agreed to his departure on that stipulated date.

Onana is scheduled to leave immediately for the tournament in Ivory Coast and will be available to represent his country, which will face Guinea in its opening match on January 15, all amid a sea of doubts that his performance has generated this season. If Cameroon fail to qualify from their AFCON group, which also includes Senegal and Gambia, they may not miss a single United game. Their last game of the initial phase will be against Gambia on January 23, four days before the possible fourth round match of the FA Cup, if the Red Devils manage to eliminate Wigan.

Manchester without Onana

If and depending on how far Cameroon advance, United's next Premier League game will be against Wolves on February 1. Erik ten Hag's men host West Ham United on February 4 and visit Aston Villa on February 11, the same day as the Africa Cup final. Without Onana, Ten Hag will have to use Altay Bayindir as a starter. The Turk has not yet made his debut with the Mancunians.