Explained: Why Man Utd risk seeing Andre Onana banned in January if £48m goalkeeper snubs AFCON call with Cameroon

The former Ajax and Inter goalkeeper has endured a tough start to life in England on the back of his £48 million ($61m) transfer to Old Trafford. The 27-year-old has made a number of costly errors, leading to serious questions being asked of his ability to become a long-term option between the sticks – with there suggestions that David de Gea could be lured back to England as a free agent.

Onana has performed an international retirement U-turn in 2023, putting him back in contention for selection by his country, but he is said to be mulling over the idea of skipping Africa Cup of Nations competition in the New Year. He would rather remain with United and work on proving his worth to Erik ten Hag.

FIFA rules do, however, dictate that any player selected for tournament duty will have to sit out domestic action if they decide not to accept that invitation. The rulebook states: “A player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released pursuant to the provisions of this annex, plus an additional period of five days.”

Cameroon could bow to Onana’s demands and overlook him completely. If he were selected, though, and chose not to head for a continental competition in the Ivory Coast, then he would be unavailable for United throughout the AFCON entry in the sporting calendar. That could force him to sit out four Premier League games against Tottenham, Wolves, West and Aston Villa – while also missing the Red Devils’ FA Cup third-round fixture.