18 November 2023 , 17:54
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Andre Onana's injury is not as bad as first feared and the Manchester United keeper should be fit to face Everton next weekend.
Onana came off with a back injury - after complaining of discomfort – in the 80th minute of Cameroon's 3-0 World Cup qualifier win over Mauritius. The withdrawal of Onana sparked fears the 27-year-old - signed in the summer for £47million from Inter Milan – could be out of United's trip to Goodison Park next Sunday.
But sources close to the player have indicated Onana's injury is not serious and that he came off as soon as he felt pain, as a precaution, to ensure he did not exacerbate the problem.
Cameroon face Libya in a second World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, but it is not yet known if Onana will feature for his country in that encounter in Baninha, just outside Benghazi. But those close to the player say Onana will be fit to play for United against Sean Dyche's side, in what has become an even bigger game following Everton's 10-point deduction.
Onana has started all of United's 19 games this season, keeping his No.2, Turkish keeper Altay Bayindir, from making his debut for Erik ten Hag's side. Bayindir, signed from Fenerbahce in the summer for £5million, is highly-rated by United's goalkeeping coaches, but has had to be patient since making the move.
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Onana went off in the 80th minute of Cameroon's clash with Mauritius (Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)Onana's injury raised the prospect of Bayindir, 25, making his debut in what is certain to be a fervent atmosphere in Everton's first game since they were punished for breaking financial rules. But Onana is likely to be fit to face the Toffees, in a huge boost to United, with the keeper having settled down after a difficult start to his Old Trafford career.
Onana was guilty of high-profile and costly mistakes against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, but has since begun to prove his worth for United, particularly domestically. He now has four clean sheets in the Premier League this season – only Nick Pope has more – while his save percentage of 76.7 per cent is the third-best in the top-flight.
United could lose Onana for up to six games in January if he decides to represent Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations. A final decision on whether Onana goes away in the new year has yet to be made, with United boss Erik ten Hag having held discussions with his first-choice keeper about the situation.
Onana is still weighing up whether to make himself available for the AFCON, knowing that decision could ultimately jeopardise his United place, should Bayindir impress during his absence.
Although no final decision has been made, United are understood to be preparing to be without Onana for several games, with Bayindir primed to replace him.