Manchester United could be without goalkeeper Andre Onana for four weeks after he accepted a call-up to Cameroon’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
It had been previously suggested that the Red Devils’ number one would stay in Manchester in order to improve his performance levels, having seen his career at Old Trafford get off to an uncertain start.
Onana made high-profile blunders against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray in the Champions League – a competition United crashed out of after the group stage – while he’s also been at fault for a number of goals conceded in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old has looked more assure of late, putting in more consistent performances, but again fell short of the mark in the Boxing Day comeback win over Aston Villa – nervily staying on his line to allow John McGinn’s cross to eventually go into the net unchallenged.
United are struggling for form themselves, sitting sixth in the table after winning ten and losing eight of their 19 Premier League games, and will need to put their faith in summer signing Altay Bayindir, who is yet to make his debut, after Onana decided to accept Cameroon’s call-up.
The Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on 13 January when host nation Ivory Coast take on Guinea-Bissau, running for four weeks until the competition’s final on 11 February.
Onana will definitely be absent for United‘s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, but he may also miss games against Wolves, West Ham United and Aston Villa depending on how far Cameroon get in the tournament.
Cameroon have been drawn against Gambia, Senegal and Guinea in the group stages and are looking to win AFCON for the first time since 2017, when an Egypt side containing Mohamed Salah were beaten 2-1 in the final.
Sofyan Amrabat has also been called up by Morocco, potentially robbing Erik ten Hag of a midfield option, but Hannibal Mejbri has been left out by Tunisia amid rumours he could be leaving United on loan.
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