Man Utd handed potential AFCON boost by Andre Onana
- Cameroon have selected Andre Onana in their squad for AFCON
- Goalkeeper wants to stay at Man Utd as long as possible
- Red Devils begin FA Cup campaign at start of January
By Sean Walsh
Andre Onana is attempting to delay his release from Manchester United ahead of Cameroon's Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
The goalkeeper has been named in Cameroon's squad for next month's tournament after his exile from the national team came to an end.
Though the Indomitable Lions are among the favourites to go all the way at AFCON, their campaign does not start until January 15 when they take on Guinea.
As such, ESPN report that Onana is in talks with the Cameroonian FA over delaying his call-up until after United's FA Cup third round tie on January 8. The Red Devils are due to make the short trip over to League One side Wigan Athletic.
Cameroon will fly out to Saudi Arabia for a pre-tournament training camp at the start of January, where they will face Zambia in one last friendly. After taking on Guinea, they will face Gambia and the much-fancied Senegal in their other two group stage fixtures.
The AFCON final is scheduled for February 11, so Onana could miss a maximum of seven United matches while away with Cameroon.
Erik ten Hag's side welcome Premier League top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford on January 14 before games against Wolves, West Ham United and Aston Villa at the start of February.
Onana would also miss any third-round replay with Wigan in the FA Cup as well as a fourth-round tie and another replay if necessary.
In Onana's place, Ten Hag is expected to call upon fellow summer signing Altay Bayindir. The Turkey international is yet to make an appearance since joining United from Fenerbahce.
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