30 November 2023 , 19:16
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Andre Onana is reportedly considering rejecting a call-up to AFCON to salvage his floundering Manchester United career.
The Cameroonian has endured a poor start to life at Old Trafford since his £47m switch from Inter Milan. High-profile errors have blighted his early appearances.
Onana endured another rotten evening with an unconvincing showing in the Red Devils' 3-3 draw with Galatasaray - a result that has left their Champions League place hanging in the balance. To save his stuttering career, Onana could be forced into drastic action by pulling out of AFCON.
According to The Sun, Onana is fearing for his place as the club’s number one, particularly with fellow summer signing Altay Baynidir waiting in the wings. The former was expected to be unavailable early next year with AFCON due to take place.
Onana had previously retired from international duty after the 2022 World Cup but returned to action earlier this year. He was expected to be his nation’s number one for the upcoming tournament.
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However, he could yet decide to remain at Old Trafford to ensure that he is not usurped by Bayindir in the Red Devils' pecking order. Man United boss Erik ten Hag leapt to Onana’s defence after the draw in Istanbul.
"He is OK," he said. "As I said, it is not about individuals. Of course, individual errors in football can make a difference and you take responsibility for it, but it is always about the team.
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"This team is good, all the players in the squad are good and deserve the best, to play for Manchester United, because they are brilliant players. And that counts for the whole squad."
Ten Hag was not the only one to defend Onana after another disappointing outing. Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes has called on him to improve - but also suggested that the same could be said of the rest of his teammates.
He said: "Onana knows how to manage these moments. It's happened in the past already and it happens. He knows he needed to do better - as every one of us needed to do better - for us to have left with a good result. It's not only because of him that we left with a bad result. Everyone should be accountable for their responsibilities."
Since arriving from Inter Milan, Onana has made 20 appearances in all competitions and has seven clean sheets. However, he has already conceded an eye-watering 33 goals.