- Onana is expected to be called into the Cameroon squad for the tournament
- If he refuses to go, FIFA rules mean he may be unable to play for Man United
- Andre Onana’s place as Man United No 1 is in doubt – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off
Andre Onana could be banned from playing for Manchester United even if he rejects the chance to play for Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The goalkeeper is expected to be called up to the Cameroon squad for the AFCON in the Ivory Coast between January 13 and February 11 next year.
If Cameroon enjoy a good tournament, Onana could miss six matches for his club in the Premier League and FA Cup.
However, Onana is nervous about losing his place at United to Turkish understudy Altay Bayindir while he’s away and may try and swerve the tournament.
His latest horror show came as United twice threw away a winning position to draw 3-3 with Galatasaray in a crucial Champions League game on Wednesday night, with the keeper at fault to some extent for all three goals.
But if Cameroon select him for their squad, Onana could be prohibited under FIFA rules from playing for United anyway during the AFCON.
As reported by The Sun, FIFA’s regulations state: ‘A player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released… plus an additional period of five days.’
It means Cameroon would have to give United and Onana dispensation to play if he declined to go to the tournament having been called up.
Given the 27-year-old, who cost United £47million to sign from Inter Milan in the summer, has re-established himself as Cameroon’s No 1, it’s likely they will want him for the showpiece African tournament.
Cameroon have been drawn in Group C alongside Senegal, Guinea and Gambia. Their opening fixture is against Guinea in Yamoussoukro on January 15.
Onana fell out with coach Rigobert Song at last year’s World Cup in Qatar and was sent home from the tournament. He duly announced his international retirement in December.
However, having buried the hatchet with Song, Onana was recalled to international duty in August and has since played in three matches.
Liverpool and former Cameroon defender Joel Matip was involved in a similar situation when he was called up for the 2017 AFCON.
Matip refused the call-up and it later emerged he’d retired from international football when playing for Schalke but hadn’t followed FIFA procedure by informing Cameroon’s national association by letter.
As a result, he missed two Liverpool games – against Manchester United in the Premier League and Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup – before the matter was resolved.
United manager Erik ten Hag could bring in Bayindir, a deadline day signing from Fenerbahce, after the latest gaffes from Onana.
He conceded two saveable free-kicks from Galatasaray’s Hakim Ziyech as United’s Champions League last-16 hopes dangling by a thread.
They needs to defeat Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on matchday six and hope the other game between Copenhagen and Galatasaray ends all-square.
As he reflected on the latest setback in Europe, Ten Hag was asked about Bayindir and the competition among his keepers.
‘Altay is getting used to the Premier League and he is getting used to European football, which is tough when you’re coming from Turkey,’ said the United manager.
‘But we are very pleased with that process, he’s doing very well. He has to be patient but if he works well, if he keeps his progress, he will get his chance and then he has to take it.
‘We are very pleased with the goalkeeper group. Andre, Altay and Tom Heaton, as a group they do really well. They have good performances and they have to push each other.’
Dropping Onana would be a huge call for Ten Hag, not least because he put his own credibility and judgment on the line by signing him in the summer.
The Dutchman called time on David de Gea’s career at United after he had won the Golden Glove award last season and broken club records for appearances and clean sheets, then paid Inter Milan £47.2million for his former Ajax keeper based on Onana’s ability with the ball at his feet.
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.
