Manchester United is concerned about the fitness of goalkeeper Andre Onana following his late departure due to injury in Cameroon’s 3-0 victory over Mauritius.
Onana visibly struggled, clutching his groin as he collapsed on the turf before being substituted with Nimes goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa.
Cameroon manager Rigobert Song has not provided any updates on Onana’s condition. Song had persuaded the United goalkeeper to end his international retirement in September after disagreements over team tactics.
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United officials are eager to assess Onana, who is likely to miss the upcoming match against Guinea on Monday.
The Red Devils have a challenging schedule ahead, facing Everton on November 26, followed by matches against Galatasaray, Newcastle United, and Chelsea. Bayern Munich and Liverpool are also on the agenda in December.
If Onana requires time off, Turkish international Altay Bayindir, who joined from Fenerbahce in the summer and is yet to make his debut for United, would likely step into Erik ten Hag’s starting lineup.
Bayindir seems poised for an extended tenure in the team in early 2024, given Onana’s potential involvement with Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled from January 13 to February 11.
Previous reports hinted at the possibility of Onana declining the opportunity to represent his country in the tournament, opting instead to concentrate on aiding United in returning to their peak form. However, whether he will maintain this stance when the time comes remains uncertain.
If Onana chooses to participate in the tournament, he may be absent for a considerable number of United’s matches if Cameroon progresses far. This could include Premier League fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United, and Aston Villa, as well as potential FA Cup third- and fourth-round clashes.