Reports indicate that Andre Onana may face restrictions on playing for Manchester United if he opts to reject a call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper, who moved from Ajax for £47.2 million in the summer, is expected to represent Cameroon at AFCON.
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After ending his international retirement in September, Onana played for his country against Senegal and Mauritius.
The Sun’s report suggests he’s contemplating staying home to focus on his United career, given recent high-profile errors.
Onana is concerned about losing his place as United’s number one if he participates in AFCON, according to the Manchester Evening News, with Altay Bayindir waiting in the wings.
Refusing to join the Cameroon squad could lead to FIFA banning the goalkeeper from playing for the Premier League club.
FIFA regulations state that a player called up by their country cannot play for their club during the designated release period.
FIFA say: “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.”
Due to that regulation and the resulting uncertainty, Liverpool defender Joel Matip was excluded from matches against Manchester United and Plymouth after declining to play for Cameroon at AFCON.
FIFA eventually permitted Matip to participate for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and he made a late appearance in their 3-2 loss to Swansea on January 21, 2017.
Should Onana choose to participate in next year’s tournament, he could be absent for six United games, including key Premier League clashes against Spurs, Wolves, West Ham, and Aston Villa.
Additionally, he might miss United’s FA Cup third-round tie scheduled for the weekend of January 6-7 if called up early for Cameroon’s pre-tournament camp.
If United advance in the Champions League, they would play the first leg of a last-16 match just 48 hours after the AFCON final.
The Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to start on January 13th and conclude on February 11th.
