According to reports, Andre Onana is contemplating declining an AFCON call-up in an effort to save his faltering Manchester United career.
The Cameroonian has had a lackluster start to his time at Old Trafford following his £47 million transfer from Inter Milan. Prominent errors have marred his initial public appearances.
With a lackluster performance in the Red Devils’ 3-3 draw with Galatasaray, Onana endured yet another miserable evening; the outcome has left their Champions League qualification in jeopardy. In order to salvage his faltering career, Onana might be compelled to take extreme measures by withdrawing from AFCON.
The Sun reports that Onana is concerned for his position as the club’s starting quarterback, especially since fellow summer acquisition Altay Baynidir is lurking in the wings. It was anticipated that the former would be unavailable at the beginning of the following year due to AFCON.
Formerly retired from international duty following the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Onana resumed his career at the beginning of this year. It was anticipated that he would lead his country to victory in the forthcoming competition.
Nevertheless, he retains the option to remain at Old Trafford in order to prevent Bayindir from surpassing him in the Red Devils’ hierarchy. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag immediately defended Onana following the stalemate in Istanbul.
He replied, “He is fine.” “As previously stated, the focus does not pertain to specific individuals. While it is true that individual mistakes can have repercussions and that one must accept responsibility for them, in football the focus is always on the team.
At AFCON, Andre Onana was anticipated to represent Cameroon. (Getty Images image)
“This team is excellent; every player is excellent and deserving of the opportunity to represent Manchester United, as they are all phenomenal athletes. “That is true of the entire squad as well.”
Ten Hag was not the only individual to defend Onana following yet another lackluster performance. Captain Bruno Fernandes of the New York Red Devils has not only urged him to progress, but also implied that his teammates are similarly in need of development.
He stated, “Onana is adept at handling these circumstances. It has occurred in the past and continues to occur. He is aware that in order for us to have ended with a positive outcome, he, like the rest of us, needed to improve. Our lackluster outcome was not solely attributable to his actions. As for individual accountability, each person ought to bear responsibility for their obligations.
Onana has accumulated seven clean sheets and 20 appearances across all competitions since his transfer from Inter Milan. Nevertheless, he has surrendered a staggering 33 goals thus far.