SUMMARY
- It hasn't been a good season for Manchester United and out of all the problems, the signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan remains the biggest of them.
- The Cameroonian goalkeeper, who arrived five hours before the match against Guinea, was still left out of the team.
This hasn’t been the season Manchester United expected by any means. Out of all the problems, the signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan remains the biggest of them. The Cameroonian goalkeeper signed for the Red Devils in the summer of 2023 for a fee of $57 million.
Let alone his ability to satisfy Erik ten Hag, the goalkeeper has produced several howlers below the sticks. But it seems that the Dutch manager is still putting faith in the Cameroonian goalkeeper following a recent revelation.
Onana, who was supposed to go to the AFCON, which started on January 13, had to miss the first game for his nation because of club commitments. It is reported that Manchester United had to cover the cost of Andre Onana’s private jet to keep him for as long as possible. The cost of the trip was a minimum of £79,000 ($100,000 approx).
🚨🚨🌕| #mufc covered the cost of André Onana’s flight to keep him as long as possible. The cost of the trip was a minimum of £79,000. [@TheAthleticFC] pic.twitter.com/4Z6i5lrauI
— centredevils. (@centredevils) January 20, 2024
This is because Onana had to play the Premier League encounter against Tottenham Hotspurs last weekend. And as soon as this revelation made the internet, fans couldn’t help but post humorous comments regarding the incident.
One fan said, “I’m tired of Onana already.” Another commented, “79k to concede 2 goals against Spurs.” A third quirked, “There’s our transfer budget gone.” A fourth added, “Sell him to Saudi.”
The Cameroonian goalkeeper, who arrived five hours before the match against Guinea, was still left out of the team. He played his first game yesterday, January 19, against Senegal. However, his presence further added to the miseries of Cameroon, as they lost the game by three goals to one.
Andre Onana produced another howler in the AFCON.
Andre Onana’s poor form continues as he produced another howler in his first AFCON match against Senegal. Onana, who didn’t play the first game, had a game to forget against the Senegalese.
During the early stages of the game, Onana made a miss-timed punch that landed into the feat of Ismalia Sarr. Sarr made no mistake, as his strike ended up in the back of the net. Onana’s positioning was also questioned during the game as Sadio Mane steered a low-powered shot into the net to make the scoreline 3-1.
Highlights: Senegal 3-1 Cameroon.
Goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo and Sadio Mane sent Senegal into the last 16 of the AFCON.
Andre Onana with another match to forget.
🎥: @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/A8rpNbKotr
— ⚽⚽⚽ (@ElijahKyama_) January 19, 2024
The former Inter Milan goalkeeper came back from retirement to represent his nation. It all happened when he was sent home by manager Rigobert Song for the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to disciplinary issues. Following his exit, the 27-year-old goalkeeper decided to hang up his boots. However, in September 2023, he decided to come back from his retirement to feature in the AFCON.
Andre Onana’s future is in doubt as Erik ten Hag eyes a new goalkeeper.
Andre Onana’s number-one spot at Manchester United is in doubt after recent reports suggest that Erik ten Hag is looking to sign Lazio’s Ivan Provedel. Onana’s absence from the squad due to national duties may force the Dutch manager to go for a backup goalkeeper.
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel 🎯
The Red Devils are temporarily without their primary goalkeeper Andre Onana who is away on international duty to represent Cameroon in the AFCON 🧤
Is Provedel the right choice?#Provedel… pic.twitter.com/y7LyS99fe0
— 365Scores (@365Scores) January 20, 2024
Provedel, who is a ball-playing keeper just like the Cameroonian, might eventually take his place if the deal gets finalized in the coming days. Provedel has impressed with his performance this season for Lazio, especially when he scored a last-minute equalizer for his side in the UEFA Champions League.
Following his debut for Lazio in 2022, the Italian goalkeeper has conceded a total of 70 times. Now it is to see whether he snatches the number-one spot from the Cameroon goalkeeper.