Andre Onana could miss seven games for Manchester United next season due to the Africa Cup of Nations, including a mammoth clash against Manchester City
Andre Onana is in danger of missing up to seven games for Manchester United next season – should Ruben Amorim continue to possess faith in the goalkeeper.
The Cameroon international has had an error-filled career at Old Trafford since his £47million move from Inter Milan in 2023.
Despite several calamitous moments in goal last season against the likes of Lyon, Leicester and Brighton, he’s remained the club’s number one but his position could be one Amorim looks to improve upon this summer.
Regardless of his goalkeeping status next season, the 29-year-old is set for a spell away from Manchester as he’s expected to be called up for Cameroon’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations later this year.
The competition, which is being hosted in Morocco, is from December 21 to January 18. It means that Onana could miss as many as seven games should his nation reach the final following the release of the 2025/26 Premier League fixtures on Wednesday.
The fixtures he’s in danger of missing are against Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Wolves, Leeds United, Burnley and Manchester City, due to an FA Cup third round being scheduled among the league matches.
However, Onana will only miss the Manchester derby if Cameroon feature in the final. There is also an opportunity he can play against Villa on December 20 given Cameroon’s first group game against Gabon is on Christmas Eve, before taking on Ivory Coast and Mozambique.
That’ll mean he’ll be forced to link up late with his international team-mates and repeat the controversy from two years ago when he missed the opening match of the 2023 edition after arriving late to the national camp.
Onana played against Tottenham Hotspur just 24 hours before their first group game against Guinea which saw him draw criticism from Togo icon Emmanuel Adebayor who accused the goalkeeper of disrespecting his country.
“He did not respect Cameroon,” the ex-Arsenal and Spurs striker said. “I was a player like him, and even being the most important player in my selection, I never acted in this way.
“The fact that this situation is happening shows that there is a problem, perhaps even within the federation. He risks losing big, because he has alienated the Cameroonian supporters, as well as many African supporters and undoubtedly certain members of the team.”
Altay Bayindir could be set for a spell in the first team if Amorim decides his goalkeeping situation is good as is with the Turkish stopper having played 10 games across all competitions this season.
2025-06-18 12:46:33
