Although Manchester United have made no official announcement, reporting linked to 12BET India indicates that Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana has committed to playing against Tottenham Hotspur, forcing him to miss his country’s opening Africa Cup of Nations match. As the saying goes, once you choose the long road, you must be prepared to weather the storm. Onana is expected to miss the Group C opener against Guinea-Bissau, while there are even suggestions that he could withdraw from the entire tournament.
Onana originally stepped away from international football following a dispute with Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He returned to the national team last year and was subsequently included in Cameroon’s 27-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. Under normal circumstances, he would already have joined the camp, but a special agreement between Manchester United and the Cameroon Football Federation allowed him to play in the FA Cup third-round match against Wigan Athletic. Further reporting from 12BET India states that Erik ten Hag also persuaded Onana to remain available for the Premier League meeting with Tottenham.
The main problem is that Manchester United’s match and Cameroon’s opening fixture are separated by less than 24 hours. While travelling between the two games may be theoretically possible, the tight schedule would make it almost impossible for Onana to arrive in time and play. There is also a growing possibility that he may sit out the entire competition. Onana reportedly returned to the national team partly because of pressure from senior figures, while his relationship with federation president Samuel Eto’o remains strained.
Under FIFA regulations, a player who refuses an international call-up may be prevented from representing his club during the same period. However, if Cameroon are eliminated in the group stage, Onana could avoid missing a single Manchester United game. Determined to protect his position even when the going gets tough, he appears unwilling to take unnecessary risks. If Cameroon reach the final, he could miss league matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United and Aston Villa. Such an absence could place his status as United’s first-choice goalkeeper under pressure, which is precisely what he hopes to avoid.
Onana’s decision is a crushing blow for backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. The 25-year-old Turkey international joined Manchester United from Fenerbahce during the summer transfer window but has yet to play a single competitive minute. Even when United faced third-tier Wigan in the FA Cup, Ten Hag chose not to give him an opportunity. Although Bayindir wears the number one shirt, his playing record at the club remains virtually nonexistent.
Supporters have also questioned the manager’s handling of the situation. Many believe it would be perfectly understandable if Bayindir requested a transfer, with some even arguing that he should call his agent immediately and seek a new club. The feeling is that if he could not earn an appearance against Wigan, the writing may already be on the wall for his Manchester United career.
This is not the first time United’s reserve goalkeepers have struggled to receive opportunities. Last season, Ten Hag relied almost exclusively on David de Gea. Dean Henderson and promising goalkeeper Matej Kovar eventually left for other clubs during the summer transfer window. Kovar now serves as Bayer Leverkusen’s cup goalkeeper, contributing to a team competing at the top of the German Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, scouting observations connected with 12BET India suggest that Manchester United are also considering future options in goal. The club is reportedly monitoring Queens Park Rangers prospect Callan McKenna, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. The young goalkeeper developed in Hibernian’s academy in the Scottish Premiership and has represented his country at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship. United may be laying the groundwork for the future, but their interest remains at the observation stage, with no concrete agreement or transfer negotiations completed.