Onana’s absence at AFCON will affect Manchester United! In which matches will Altay Bayındır play?
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could be without goalkeeper André Onana for up to seven games in the new year after Cameroon qualified for the African Cup of Nations.
Cameroon qualified for the Ivory Coast tournament by beating Burundi 3-0 this Tuesday and finished as leader of the qualifying group. Onana returned to the national team after playing for the win and the £47million goalkeeper is expected to represent his country at the AFCON, which runs from January 13 to February 11.
If Cameroon reach the end of the tournament, Onana could miss four Premier League games against Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa.
He could also miss the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-finals and the FA Cup fourth round if United make it that far.
AT THE FINISH IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUPS
The first legs of the Champions League round of 16 will also be played the week after the AFCON final, meaning Onana’s return to England could be difficult if Cameroon reach the final and United reach to the round of 16.
ALTAY BAYINDIR CAN TAKE THE CASTLE
United signed Onana from Inter Milan this summer, but also transferred Altay Bayındır from Fenerbahçe. In matches where Onana is not present, national goalkeeper Altay Bayındır is seen as the strongest alternative to take over the gloves. Ten Hag also has 37-year-old goalkeeper Tom Heaton in their squad.
Altay Bay
Manchester United will face Galatasaray, with whom they are in the same Champions League group, at Old Trafford on October 3 and at Rams Park on November 29. If there is no injury, Onana, who is the first goalkeeper, is expected to guard the goal in these matches.
OTHER AFRICAN PLAYERS ON THE TEAM
Midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who joined United on loan from Fiorentina last day, is likely to play for Morocco, who qualified for the AFCON in March. Winger Amad Diallo could represent hosts Ivory Coast, while midfielder Hannibal Mejbri could also play for Tunisia in the tournament.
This edition of AFCON was delayed from summer 2023 due to concerns over the rainy season in Côte d’Ivoire. Onana left the national team after a disagreement with coach Rigobert Song at the World Cup held in Qatar last December.
However, last Monday he confirmed his return to the international arena with a message on social media and then played against Burundi.