Why is Andre Onana still playing for Man Utd despite being called up to play at AFCON 2023?

MANCHESTER UNITED goalkeeper Andre Onana has been called up for Cameroon in their upcoming games in AFCON.

But why is he still playing for the Red Devils?

Reuters

Andre Onana played the full 90 minutes for Manchester United in their 0-2 win against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup last night[/caption]

This SATURDAY the tournament opening match will see hosts Ivory Coast play Guinea-Bissau in the Alassane Ouattara Arena in Abidjan.

In this year’s AFCON, 24 nations will participate to see who can be named kings of Africa once again.

Five cities will be hosted in Ivory Coast and they are Yamoussoukro, Bouake, Korhogo, Abidjan and San Pedro.

The final will be on February 11 and will also be played in Abidjan in the Alassane Ouattara Arena.

Many Premier League fans across the UK are hoping that their players don’t go far in the later stages of the tournament.

However, there is a possibility that Andre Onana will not be missed by Manchester United due to Erik Ten Hag’s men only playing TWICE in January.

When is Andre Onana’s supposed to be traveling to AFCON?

Andre Onana is expected to be in goal this Sunday when Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur.

According to the Mail, Erik ten Hag may have persuaded the Cameroon goalkeeper to stay and help struggling United for another week.

Onana will fly out to Ivory Coast straight after to be available for selection in Cameroon’s first game of the group stage where they face Guinea on Monday January 15.

Potentially, Onana, 27, will be legible play TWICE in 24 hours for club and country.

Several high profile professionals are making the trip to the southern coast of West Africa.

Egyptian Mohamed Salah, Senegalese striker Nicholas Jackson and Moroccan Achraf Hakimi are all flying out to the competition.

What does this mean for Altay Bayındır?

Altay Bayındır joined Manchester United from Fenerbahce in a £4.3million deal last summer.

Bayındır’s, 25, wait for minutes in a Manchester United shirt was expected to end in last nights 0-2 win over Wigan Athletic but that was not the case.

Since his arrival, he has not made a single appearance for the Red Devils which have left fans surprised by Erik ten Hag’s decision.

One fan took their opinion to X, saying, “Bayindr should be on the phone to his agent telling him to secure him a move away.”

“He can’t even start him in the FA Cup against League One Wigan Athletic.”

Reuters

Altay Bayındır, 25, Turkish international has played 0 minutes so far this season[/caption]

What TV channel is AFCON being shown on and can it be live streamed?

• All tournament games will be broadcasted on Sky Sports in the UK.
• Games will be shown on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Mix.
• Alternatively, AFCON may broadcast live coverage of games on their YouTube channel – CAF TV.

Who are the favourites to win AFCON 2024?

Surprisingly, after only winning one AFCON trophy in their history, Morocco are this year’s tournament favourites.

Morocco finished 4th in the World Cup which was the highest finish of any African Nation.

Players to look out for will be Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri, 26, Galatasary forward, Hakim Ziyech, 30, and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, 25.

Captain Kalidou Koulibaly will be hoping his nation Senegal will retain the AFCON trophy after being second favourite to win the tournament.

After all his club and individual accolades, Egyptian Mohamed Salah, 31, has never won the AFCON trophy.

The forward fell short in two finals in 2017 and 2021 where he went against his former ex Liverpool team mate, Sadio Mane.