Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, is reportedly attempting to delay his departure for AFCON until the last possible moment, fearing the potential loss of his starting position to Altay Bayindir.

While Premier League clubs were initially required to release players for AFCON duty on January 1st, United has managed to secure Onana’s availability for the FA Cup tie against Wigan and aim to retain him for the Tottenham encounter on January 14th.

Onana faces a challenging schedule, with a seven-hour flight to join Cameroon for their AFCON opener just 24 hours after the Spurs match. An early AFCON exit would allow him to return for the FA Cup’s fourth round, minimising the impact on club games.

However, if Cameroon reaches the AFCON final on February 11th, Onana could miss up to four crucial Premier League matches. This situation opens the door for backup keeper Altay Bayindir to potentially make his debut for United.

If he impresses, it could create pressure on manager Erik ten Hag to reconsider his choice for the number one goalkeeper. Onana has faced criticism for his performances this season, making several high-profile mistakes and conceding 45 goals in 28 appearances across all competitions.

As Bayindir prepares for a potential breakthrough, Onana’s AFCON participation adds an intriguing dimension to United’s goalkeeping dynamics.