Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana has made the difficult decision to miss his country’s first game at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in order to make himself available for Manchester United’s Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur. The Cameroonian FA has granted Onana permission to skip a warm-up camp in Saudi Arabia and play for United in the FA Cup match against Wigan Athletic on Monday. However, Onana will now further delay his departure to feature in the clash against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
According to a source, the Cameroon Federation has acknowledged that Onana is unlikely to be available for their first AFCON group game against Guinea, which is scheduled for 24 hours after the Tottenham match. Onana will, however, be able to participate in the final two games in Group C against Senegal and Gambia on January 19 and 23, respectively. This decision will also affect his availability for United’s subsequent FA Cup fourth round tie against Newport County or Eastleigh on the weekend of January 27-28.
If Cameroon progresses to the final of the AFCON tournament, which will be held in Ivory Coast, Onana could potentially remain with his national team until February 11. This would mean missing more United fixtures, including potential Premier League and FA Cup matches. It is a sacrifice Onana seems willing to make for both his club and country.
Meanwhile, there will be a notable presence in the stands at Old Trafford for the Tottenham match. British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently agreed to buy a 25% stake in Manchester United, is expected to attend his first game since the deal was made. Ratcliffe, the chairman and CEO of INEOS, has already engaged with manager Erik ten Hag during a visit to Carrington, where he also met members of the first team squad. Once the agreement is finalized, Ratcliffe’s minority stake will result in INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford and INEOS sport chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc taking up seats on United’s board.
Since the announcement of the INEOS deal on Christmas Eve, Sir Dave Brailsford has been actively involved in the transition period. Brailsford, who is known for his successful career as a director of cycling team INEOS Grenadiers, has been a constant presence at Carrington, holding meetings with key personnel. His involvement signals potential changes that may come to United under the new ownership.
Overall, André Onana’s decision to prioritize Manchester United over Cameroon for the AFCO opener reflects his commitment to his club and his desire to contribute to their success. However, it raises questions about his availability and commitment to the national team. On the other hand, the presence of billionaire investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the active involvement of Sir Dave Brailsford suggest exciting developments for Manchester United’s future under new ownership.