Andre Onana joined United with high expectations, and despite the early promises, the former Ajax goalkeeper has shipped in seven goals in four appearances for the club in the Premier League this season. This means United have conceded more goals than any other top-six club in the league after just four games.
With United looking like a club in crisis, the headache continues for the club as Erik ten Hag is prepared to lose Onana due to his potential involvement in the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournament scheduled for January 2024 after announcing his return to the Cameroonian national team.
Erik ten Hag to hold a meeting with Andre Onana
It’s only a few weeks into the new season, and Manchester United fans are already prepared for a long season of disappointment. The Red Devils lie 11th on the Premier League table, having won two out of four games, scoring only five goals while conceding seven. Off-field issues haven’t helped the club focus on what matters most – football. Antony has been temporarily suspended after being accused of assault by different women, Jadon Sancho publicly criticized the manager after being left out of the squad to face Arsenal two weeks ago; it’s been a crazy ride at Old Trafford.
United are preparing for another disappointment in the next few months as Andre Onana recently announced his return to the Cameroonian national team after initially hanging his boots last December. This means the United goalkeeper may be missed for some weeks as the AFCON tournament kicks off in January. According to reports, Erik ten Hag is set to hold talks with the former Inter sweeper keeper, hoping to convince him to stay at the club even when the AFCON tournament kicks off in Ivory Coast next January.
How many games will Andre Onana miss?
The next African Cup of Nations will begin in January 2024 in Ivory Coast, and with Onana’s recent u-turn on his retirement from international football, he could miss a few games for United if he were to represent Cameroon in the tournament. The new goalkeeper could miss up to nine games for United, depending on how far his country progresses in the tournament.
He could miss as many as four Premier League games, one Champions League knockout game, two League Cup matches, and two FA Cup games. In Onana’s absence, United would have to count on another summer signing, Altay Bayindir.
Can United convince Onana not to represent Cameroon in the upcoming AFCON tournament? Tell us what you think in the comments.
