Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Manchester United handed triple selection boost as Tottenham clash looms

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is available to face Tottenham on January 14 - just 24 hours before Cameroon kick off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

United and Onana have convinced the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) to delay his release for the tournament until the last possible moment.

The 27-year-old will be free to play against Spurs for United, who have slipped to nine points outside the top four after a poor run of just one win in five games under Erik ten Hag.

United won just two of their seven Premier League matches in December, which leaves their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League in major doubt.

Onana will be involved in the FA Cup third-round tie away at Wigan on Monday and then when Spurs visit Old Trafford, before immediately flying to the Ivory Coast for the AFCON.

He will then line up for Cameroon against Guinea a day after the Spurs game.

His availability will delay the potential debut of inexperienced United No2 Altay Bayindir, who has yet to play for the Reds since joining from Fenerbahce in the summer.

Andre Onana will be available for Manchester United's meeting with Spurs this month (AP)

Cameroon have been flexible with United after persuading Onana to come out of international retirement ahead of the AFCON.

Onana was not available to play for Cameroon when he made his £47.2million move to United from Inter Milan due to a dispute with Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o.

But improving relations have seen him return and he could now miss four United matches should Cameroon reach the AFCON final on February 11.

Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro have returned to training this week and could face Spurs after spells out with long-term injuries.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.