In a stunning development, goalkeeper Andre Onana has been excluded from Cameroon's final squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, dealing another significant blow to the struggling Manchester United player.
Surprise Squad Omission Rocks Onana
The 29-year-old, currently on a season-long loan at Turkish Süper Lig side Trabzonspor, was a notable absentee when Les Lions Indomptables announced their 28-man selection on Monday. His omission comes as a major surprise, given he was fully expected to feature for his nation at the tournament in Morocco, which kicks off on December 21.
Onana has earned 53 caps for Cameroon and played the entire match in their crucial 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to DR Congo in November. Since his loan move from Old Trafford, he has made 10 appearances for Trabzonspor, keeping three clean sheets.
Managerial Chaos and Premier League Selections
The squad announcement coincided with further turmoil, as the Cameroon Football Federation sacked manager Marc Brys with just three weeks until their opening AFCON fixture against Gabon. He has been swiftly replaced by David Pagou.
While Onana misses out, several Premier League stars were selected. The squad includes Brentford and Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo, along with Brighton's Carlos Baleba, who has himself been linked with a move to United.
United are now actively pushing for Mbeumo, as well as Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui – who are set to be named by Ivory Coast and Morocco respectively – to delay their departure for the tournament. Manager Ruben Amorim hopes to keep the trio until at least United's Premier League clash with Bournemouth on December 15, amid injuries to Benjamin Šeško and Matheus Cunha.
Onana's Troubled United Exit and Fresh Start
Onana's career at Manchester United unravelled after his £47.2 million move from Inter Milan two years ago. He began this season as second choice to Altay Bayındır after a summer hamstring injury and was allowed to join Trabzonspor on loan once United signed Senne Lammens.
Reflecting on the decision in September, Amorim suggested the intense scrutiny of being United's goalkeeper had taken its toll. "The quality is there," Amorim said, "but in this club, the pressure is sometimes so hard on every detail. Sometimes you need a change... I think we understood that he needed a change."
Onana's sole appearance for United this season was an embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town on penalties. If the selected United players are not granted permission to delay their AFCON travel, the club could be without them for up to eight Premier League games and an FA Cup third-round tie.
