Andre Onana’s AFCON Decision Causing Upsets At Manchester United

When Erik ten Hag revealed his genuine feelings about selection, the goalie will remain at Manchester United for as long as possible before taking off for East Africa.

Less than twenty-four hours before he laces his boots in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, later this month, Andre Onana might be putting on his gloves in Manchester.

Although it appears doubtful, the goalie will be eligible to play for Cameroon against Guinea in their Africa Cup of Nations opening.

Sportxparte reports that Onana will be able to play for United against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Monday and then against Tottenham at Old Trafford in the Premier League when his country’s squad and club reach a deal.

Trafford on January 14, with his nation’s match will be taking place twenty-three hours later. Rigobert Song, the manager of Cameroon, is being kind. Not very long ago, Onana had a falling out with Song, which led to his first international retirement. Ten Hag had not yet gone back on that choice when he signed Onana this summer.

Despite Ten Hag’s headache, Song will be happy to have one of the best football players in the country back on his team. Indeed, it appears that the United manager has disclosed the full scope of his concerns.

The Turk has not yet made his United debut, although the Dutchman added backup Altay Bayindir in the summer. With 145 games played for Fenerbahce and eight caps for his nation, the 25-year-old is an accomplished player. With Onana having a rough first few months, Ten Hag had an opportunity to use the keeper in the League Cup and had more than enough reason to rotate, but Bayindir started both matches on the bench.

His FA Cup match against Wigan looks like the ideal way to break him in, and even with Onana’s postponed departure, he could still be chosen. However, he will not play against Tottenham, so if he is left off against Wigan, it will simply make the management seem even more uneasy about him. Onana will miss a few of United’s games, so Bayindir will have to be hired.

However, there is definitely a risk because the latter has not yet made his bow. Bayindir should also be concerned about Ten Hag’s insistence on retaining Onana on staff for an extended period of time.

It doesn’t actually help either him or his fellow players and could be interpreted as a lack of faith in the goalie. Goalies require a strong will and a daring mindset, and it is beneficial when the manager demonstrates his faith in them. In addition, developing for-game interaction is crucial and cannot be fostered in training alone; thus, defenders must have faith in their goalie. Ten Hag makes it look like something of a risk overall.

Ten Hag’s desire is to hang onto his No. 1 for as many seasons as possible. However, Onana’s quick transition from club to national duty seems desperate. For being so kind, Cameroon deserves his gratitude.

Due to his lack of appearances since his arrival, Bayindir will undoubtedly be in the spotlight, but Onana’s postponed AFCON departure won’t make things any easier.