Eric Djemba-Djemba believes Andre Onana is at risk of losing his place in Manchester United’s starting 11 if he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
The tournament kicks off on January 13 and will run until February 11, meaning United could be without Onana, Hannibal Mejbri, Sofyan Amrabat and Amad Diallo – if all are called up by their countries – for a large portion of that time.
Amad’s involvement will, of course, hinge on his fitness status, having missed all of the 2023/2024 campaign thus far over an injury he sustained in the pre-season tour. He returned to training some time ago but is yet to be granted his maiden outing of the term.
Questions have been raised over Onana, whose start to life at Old Trafford has been nothing short of tumultuous, and whether or not he should partake in the competition while he looks to settle between the sticks and maintain consistent form. However, it’s an honour for any player to represent their nation on such a prestigious stage, so the Cameroonian mustn’t be criticised for wanting to do so.
The responsibility then presumably falls to Altay Bayindir, who was sought in the summer to play second fiddle to Onana. Erik ten Hag has not granted the 25-year-old his debut yet and all signs point to it coming when AFCON kicks off.
Djemba-Djemba weighs in on Onana’s conundrum
Bayindir could perform so well that Ten Hag is then reluctant to displace him for the fixtures following Onana’s return – and it’s this exact instance that Djemba-Djemba has flagged.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the former Red explained: “One of the problems for him [Onana] is even if he plays well over the next month, he then goes away for a month to the AFCON…
“He knows if he goes, maybe he will lose his place at Manchester United. He has to decide what is best for him. He just needs to do what is best for his career.”
