Andre Onana might skip AFCON 2023 to focus on Manchester United career

Cameroon recently called Andre Onana for AFCON 2023 games in January

After an uncertain beginning to his Old Trafford career, Andre Onana is apprehensive to devote time off from Manchester United to represent Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January. 

After the World Cup in Qatar, Onana retired from international football due to an argument with the manager Rigobert Song. In response to ire from the government and Cameroon FA, he consented to return for the last AFCON qualifying match against Burundi in September.

Cameroon's participation in the competition, which begins on January 13 in the Ivory Coast, was secured with a 3-0 victory. Onana, however, is hesitant to participate because doing so could result in him skipping a month of the Premier League season. Instead, the 27-year-old, as stated by a source familiar to the player, wants to concentrate on joining his new team.

After a challenging first season that involved numerous expensive errors, Onana is especially eager to stay at Old Trafford and wants to demonstrate his dedication to United.

He committed a terrible error in the 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich in September and also contributed to the situation that led to Casemiro's dismissal from the 3-2 loss to Galatasaray.

"We are happy with our goalkeeping group," said Ten Hag following the defeat to Galatasaray. "Andre was in one semifinal of the Champions League [with Ajax], he was in the final last season [with Inter] so he has capabilities to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he has shown that. We have already seen in games his great capabilities, also his personality. He will bounce back."

Onana informed Ten Hag and United's managers during negotiations for his £47.3 million (($57.37m)) transfer from Inter that he had no intention of returning to the Cameroon team. The Dutchman is understanding of the goalkeeper's predicament and won't sway his choice.

Onana was recently selected for the Cameroon team to play in the upcoming international break matches against Russia and Senegal and he will need to have more discussions with officials before he agrees to compete at the AFCON.