SUMMARY
- Andre Onana is going to extreme lengths to keep his place at Manchester United.
- Manchester United will host Tottenham Hotspur on Jan. 14, 2024, followed by Cameroon playing Guinea in AFCON all within 24 hours.
Andre Onana is going to extreme lengths to keep his place at Manchester United. The Cameroonian goalkeeper has agreed to play two games in 24 hours to help Manchester United in a tough Premier League fixture.
Manchester United are set to host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 14, 2024. However, less than 24 hours later, Cameroon is slated to play Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign. Manchester United and Onana approached the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) to delay the release of the goalkeeper so that he could participate against Tottenham.
The agreement was reached between all three parties, which will now allow Onana to play two games in less than 24 hours. It has been reported that Cameroon’s federation is ready to be flexible with Onana considering the goalkeeper came out of retirement to play in this edition of AFCON. Onana retired from international career back in 2022 after a dispute with Fecafoot president, Samuel Eto’o.
Either Onana is scared to lose his position or Erik Ten Hag doesn’t feel Biyinder is ready & only trusts Onana. In a way ETH is disrespecting Biyinder & it questions his man management. Not a good look. https://t.co/JOeIFbAur6
— M.U.J (@Its_MUJ) January 3, 2024
This new agreement with Fecafoot will allow Onana to miss only four games due to AFCON instead of six games if he had joined the national team on time. The decision has puzzled Manchester United fans who are questioning the man management of Erik ten Hag.
Among the reactions, one stands out from @Its_MUJ, who wrote: “Either Onana is scared to lose his position or Erik Ten Hag doesn’t feel Biyinder is ready & only trusts Onana. In a way, ETH is disrespecting Biyinder & it questions his man management. Not a good look.”
What kind of nonsense is this? This is an insult to the other man utd goalkeepers
— Isaiah Gere Esq. ARMN. (@gere_isaiah) January 3, 2024
Other comments such as “This is just greed. Let your teammate play Onana,” “Blud thinking he is prime Casillas,” “Disrespect to African football. This should not be allowed,” and “What kind of nonsense is this? This is an insult to the other man utd goalkeepers,” echoed the sentiments of the fans.
Altay Bayindir to replace Andre Onana at Manchester United
The decision has thrown some shade on the capabilities of the backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. The Turkish goalkeeper was brought in by Erik ten Hag in the summer of 2023. He was the main backup of Andre Onana. Many expected Bayindir to play cup games for Manchester United. However, he has yet to make his debut for the club.
The decision to keep on the bench has raised some eyebrows considering the shaky start of Onana for Manchester United, especially in the UEFA Champions League. Bayindir can be a capable replacement, he made 145 appearances for Fenerbahce in four years and kept 44 clean sheets. He has also made eight appearances for Turkey since making his debut in 2021.
Andre Onana to create a new record of conceding most goals in the space of 24 hrs https://t.co/VcZ84sc0KH
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) January 3, 2024
The decision to play Onana against Spurs instead of keeping faith in Altay Bayindir might be another big red mark on the man management of Erik ten Hag. Bayindir is the main option ahead of Tom Heaton to replace Onana while he is at AFCON.
News about signing David de Gea on a short-term deal is still bubbling. The January transfer window is shaping up to be an interesting month for Manchester United goalkeepers. The English club will face Wigan in the FA Cup on January 8.