In a significant decision, Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, has opted to prioritize his national commitment over his club responsibilities. The 27-year-old, who recently made a high-profile move to Manchester United in a £47.2 million deal from Inter Milan, has announced his intention to represent Cameroon in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Onana aims to defend Cameroon’s goal in the tournament scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11. His choice means he will be absent for Manchester United’s crucial matches during that period, including fixtures in the Premier League, FA Cup, and potentially the Carabao Cup and Champions League, should Cameroon progress to the tournament’s later stages.
Initially, there were uncertainties surrounding Onana’s participation in AFCON 2023 due to a previous conflict with head coach Rigobert Song during the 2022 World Cup. Despite his earlier departure from Cameroon’s camp, Onana has reaffirmed his commitment to representing his home country.
With Onana’s decision to play in AFCON, Manchester United faces the challenge of finding suitable alternatives for their goalkeeping position throughout the tournament.