Sports

Little-known rule means Andre Onana would have been banned from playing for Man Utd even if he snubbed Afcon call-up

ANDRE ONANA has agreed to go to the Africa Cup of Nations after fearing he would be accused of letting his country down.

The Manchester United goalkeeper was called into Cameroon’s squad for the tournament which runs for just over a month from January 13.

2Andre Onana is set to head to Afcon next monthCredit: Reuters

Onana had been torn about going because he could miss six Red Devils games at a time when his indifferent form was leading to questions about his long-term future.

But Fifa rules meant he had to go if the call came or be banned from playing for United for the duration of the tournament. That call came yesterday.

United chiefs have been in negotiations with the Cameroon FA for months in the hope they would opt to NOT call him up.

But following discussions with family and friends, Onana realised he simply could not turn  his back on Cameroon.

Onana retired from international football after being kicked out of their World Cup camp in 2022 following a bust-up with coach Rigobert Song.

He reversed that decision in September and returned for the win over Burundi which saw his side into the Afcon finals.

Onana, 27, is concerned that a prolonged absence from United’s first team could cost him his place long term if No 2 Altay Bayindir performs well.

His spot has already come under question after a number of high-profile blunders in conceding 43 goals in 27 appearances.

On-loan  Sofyan Amrabat will also be missing from the United squad during the tournament having been called up by Morocco.

However, United boss Erik ten Hag has been boosted by a number of players coming back from injury.

Influential Lisandro Martinez is putting a metatarsal problem behind him.

The centre-back said: “My rehab is going amazingly. I am feeling strong.”

Mason Mount is due to return to full training after a calf problem, while Casemiro (hamstring) is also close.

Defenders Harry Maguire  and Victor Lindelof should be available next month.

2Sofyan Amrabat is also set to head to AfconCredit: Alamy

Related Posts

“[Greg Norman] Would Go Absolutely Apesh*t at Me”: Ex-Caddie, Who Claimed Tiger Woods Treated Him Like a “Slave”, Once Revealed

You might know Steve Williams as a former caddie for Tiger Woods. He was on Woods’s bag from 1999 to 2011. During their time together, Woods won 63 PGA Tour…

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s golf league announces new recruit who will play defining role

TGL, the tech-infused golf league being pioneered by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, will launch in just a few months and fans have been given a glimpse at…

Amanda Balionis reveals she was left shaking over Tiger Woods interview which caused her to lose sleep

Amanda Balionis revealed that she was visibly shaking when she first interviewed Tiger Woods early into her days as a reporter for the PGA Tour. Speaking to Links Magazine, Balionis recalled…

Tom Kim issues apology after criticism from golf fans for breaking unwritten PGA Tour rule

Tom Kim has issued an apology after the PGA Tour star was criticized for hitting his putter into a green during the final round of the FedEx St….

‘Losing to [Phil Mickelson] Doesn’t Feel Very Good’: Tiger Woods Exposed Tense Equation With LIV Golfer Years Before Their Rift

In the field of golf, there is no doubt that one of the most exciting rivalries that has been witnessed is that between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Their rivalry in…

Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning receives Tiger Woods text about hole-in-one

Dan Lanning recently made his first hole-in-one at the Pebble Beach Par-3 course. Dan Lanning and his Oregon football team will begin their 2024 season on August 31st at home against…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *