Later this month, Andre Onana could be strapping on the gloves in Manchester less than 24 hours before lacing his boots in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
Admittedly, it seems unlikely that the goalkeeper will play in Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations opener against Guinea but he will technically be available for selection. It is a rather bizarre circumstance.
His national team and club have come to an agreement that will see Onana available to play for United against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Monday and then in the Premier League clash with Tottenham at Old Trafford on January 14, with his country playing just 23 hours later.
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It is a generous act from Cameroon boss Rigobert Song, who Onana fell out with not so long ago to prompt his initial international retirement. When Ten Hag signed Onana this summer, he had not yet reversed that decision.
Song will be delighted that he has one of the nation’s greatest football talents back on side, however much of a headache this has caused Ten Hag. In fact, it looks as though the United boss has revealed the extent of his worry.
The Dutchman brought in back-up Altay Bayindir in the summer, but the Turk is yet to make his United debut. The 25-year-old is no slouch having tallied eight international caps and 145 matches for Fenerbahce.
Ten Hag had a chance to use the ‘keeper in the League Cup and had more than ample reason to rotate with Onana having a shaky first few months, but Bayindir remained on the bench for both ties.
The FA Cup clash with Wigan seems a perfect opportunity to bed him in, and he still might be selected despite Onana’s delayed departure. But he definitely will not play against Tottenham, and so if he is indeed omitted against Wigan, that will only compound the apparent air of unease towards him from the manager.
Onana will miss a handful of games for United and Bayindir will have to be used – but the fact the latter is yet to make his bow is undoubtedly a risk. Ten Hag’s insistence on keeping Onana in-house for longer also should ring alarm bells for Bayindir.
It could be seen as lack of confidence in the shot-stopper, and doesn’t really do the player or his teammates any favours. Goalkeepers need a sturdy mind and a bold mentality, and it helps when the manager shows his trust.
Defenders need to be confident in their goalkeeper and moreover, building that in-game communication is invaluable and cannot be nurtured in training alone. It all seems a bit of a gamble from Ten Hag.
Of course, it is understandable why Ten Hag would want to keep his No.1 on for as long as possible – which team wouldn’t? But the tight turnaround for Onana between club and country duties smacks of desperation. He should thank Cameroon for being so generous.
The spotlight will be on Bayindir regardless due to the absence of playing time since his arrival, but Onana’s delayed AFCON departure will not help ease the burden.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
