Onana makes shock RETIREMENT announcement that will frustrate Man Utd
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 4 Sept 2023 11:02 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana will make a major retirement announcement that threatens to frustrate manager Erik ten Hag.
Signed from Inter Milan for €52.5 million this summer, Onana has made an impressive start between the sticks at Old Trafford, despite conceding seven goals in his first four Premier League outings for Erik ten Hag’s men.
A major piece of the manager’s plans, Man Utd have suffered a blow with the news that Onana has elected to step out of international retirement, which could potentially deprive the club of his services for several weeks this season.
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Onana had retired from international football last year following a fallout with manager Rigobert Song over tactical decisions, flying home in the middle of the World Cup after being dropped following the Indomitable Lions’ second match against Serbia.
He has now announced that he to return for Cameroon in the upcoming international break.
He is expected to feature against Burundi in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on 12 September.
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What Man Utd matches will Onana miss during AFCON?
With the finals of the AFCON slated to take place in January and February in Cote d’Ivoire, Onana could miss as many as four Premier League matches for Ten Hag’s side. The Red Devils face Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa during the duration of the tournament.
United will accept this decision, even if it is one that is unlikely to benefit them.
🇨🇲❤️ pic.twitter.com/WNifNkzoYR
— Andre Onana (@AndreyOnana) September 4, 2023
Clubs are typically left frustrated by having their players taken away from them during international breaks, with the risk of injury during these periods significant.
Meanwhile, there is also the additional problem of players returning back from these periods fatigued, particularly when forced to make long journeys to South America or Africa, as Onana will do when he represents Cameroon once again.
