Manchester United could be without their first choice goalkeeper over the new year and that has left Andre Onana fearing the worst about his place in the team.
Andre Onana is concerned he could lose his place as Manchester United number one if he represents Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, as per the Manchester Evening News.
The 27-year-old had another bad night in the Champions League against Galatasaray on Wednesday night. United conceded three goals and you could shift some of the blame on Onana for at least two of them, and the 3-3 draw left us at the bottom of Group A.
AFCON begins on January 16 and players are scheduled to report for international duty at the start of the month. However, the final is set to be played on February 11.
In turn, Onana could miss up to six games for United and we should keep in mind that he had retired from international football before signing for us in the summer. Now he has gone back on that decision to rekindle his international career.
One of the games Onana will miss is the FA Cup third round tie which takes place on the weekend of January 6. Then we host Tottenham in the Premier League a week later.
While being without Onana will be a negative (his form in the Premier League has improved) for Erik ten Hag’s team, the manager can also call upon fellow summer signing Altay Bayindir. The Turkey international has yet to make his debut for the club, but his chance will come at some stage.
Erik ten Hag will back Onana
Although it sounds like Onana has concerns of his own about his place at United, ESPN believe that Ten Hag will continue to back his keeper and still believes it was the right decision to bring him in as David de Gea’s replacement.
The report states: “A source has told ESPN that Ten Hag is likely to keep faith with Onana for the Premier League trip to Newcastle on Saturday, unless the stopper makes it clear he wants to be taken out of the firing line.”
If we’ve learned anything about Onana since he’s arrived at Old Trafford, this is not a guy that is going to ask for time off – especially when he could be off to AFCON in the new year.
Onana’s struggles have led to some fans calling for De Gea to return, but we think that is crazy from people with short memories.
United have moved on from De Gea and Onana deserves our support at the very least. Get behind him!
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Short memories, you say? Watching this guy I am strongly reminded of Paddy Roche – closely followed by Massimo Taibi.
Admittedly, De Gea took a little while to settle, but my memory is long enough to recall all the times he saved us.
I, for one, could handle his return, just to know he’s there rather than calling on an unknown quantity in Bayindir if Onana’s domestic form slips back again.