MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 22:52:12| >> :60:250:250:

Andre Onana 'concerned he could lose Man United place during AFCON'

Andre Onana 'concerned he could lose Man United place during AFCON'
© Reuters
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is reportedly concerned that he could lose his first-choice status if he represents Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Manchester United number one Andre Onana is reportedly worried about the prospect of losing his place in the Red Devils team during January's Africa Cup of Nations.

The Cameroon international immediately cemented himself as Erik ten Hag's first-choice stopper after arriving from Inter Milan, with whom he was a crucial part of their run to the final of the Champions League.

After scoping out several targets to succeed David de Gea, who left the club upon the expiration of his contract last season, Man United forked out £43.3m to bring Onana to the Premier League on a five-year deal with an option until 2029.

From his first 20 appearances in a Red Devils jersey, Onana has registered seven clean sheets, but the 27-year-old's earliest weeks at the Theatre of Dreams have been marred by a series of error-strewn displays.

Onana has already shipped 33 goals this season, including a whopping 14 in five Champions League matches, and he was criticised for all three of Galatasaray's goals in Wednesday's 3-3 draw with the Turkish giants.

Manchester United's Andre Onana looks dejected on September 20, 2023© Reuters

The former Ajax man should have done better with a pair of Hakim Ziyech free kicks, the second of which deflected into the net off his body, before a vicious Kerem Akturkoglu strike flew past him at his near post.

Despite his series of mistakes, Onana has featured from the first whistle in every single one of Man United's games over fellow summer signing Altay Bayindir, whom Ten Hag is yet to hand a debut to.

Onana originally retired from Cameroon duty during the 2022 World Cup owing to a falling out with head coach Rigobert Song, but the 27-year-old has since returned to the national team setup and is expected to be called up for next year's AFCON.

The tournament runs from January 13 to February 11, meaning that Onana could miss nearly a month of domestic action if Cameroon progress to the final, and the Indomitable Lions' final group game is on January 23.

Bayindir will therefore enjoy at least a fortnight in between the sticks, but according to the Manchester Evening News, Onana is concerned that the Turkish goalkeeper could supplant him as the Red Devils' first-choice goalkeeper during the competition.

Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir on September 3, 2023© Reuters

Should Onana indeed travel to his home continent to represent Cameroon, the shot-stopper is at risk of missing crucial Premier League fixtures with Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United while the tournament is ongoing.

The first round of the FA Cup also takes place on January 6, which Onana may also be unavailable for as Song's squad get together for their pre-tournament preparations, and if Man United can defy the odds and reach the Champions League last 16, the first leg of those ties will be played on February 13/14.

Should the Red Devils transfer to the Europa League knockout round playoffs, Ten Hag's men would play the first leg of that encounter on February 15, although they have no EFL Cup commitments to concern themselves with after their defence was ended by Newcastle United in round four.

As well as Onana, Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco) and Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia) are set to earn call-ups, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka has reportedly been invited to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo at senior international level.

Man United sit sixth in the Premier League table and are back in top-flight action against Newcastle United on Saturday evening.

ID:530242:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6313:

Click here for more stories about Andre Onana

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Scott McTominay in action with Galatasaray's Tanguy Ndombele on November 29, 2023
Read Next:
Ten Hag: 'We must learn lessons from Galatasaray clash'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!