Erik ten Hag has confirmed that goalkeeper Andre Onana will return to Manchester United before Thursday after Cameroon’s AFCON exit.
Onana was a part of the Cameroon squad which qualified for the knockout rounds of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, but failed to advance past Nigeria in the round of 16 – losing 2-0 thanks to a brace from Ademola Lookman.
Having played every group stage game, the Manchester United number one was surprisingly dropped to the bench for the clash with Nigeria by manager Rigobert Song. Speaking prior to the defeat, Song revealed that he made the decision to drop Onana due to his team conceding six goals in the group stages.
With his nation now out of the competition, Onana is now set to make his return to Manchester United, with Ten Hag confirming that he expects his number one to return before Thursday:
“Andre Onana will be back for Thursday,” confirmed Ten Hag.
“Maybe, for the first time as long as I was manager, I can pick a team from the squad that is probably the strongest here.”
Summer signing Altay Bayindir made his Man Utd debut due to Onana’s absence on Sunday, conceding two as the club squeezed past Newport County and through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Speaking about Bayindir’s debut, Ten Hag said that he was impressed by the Turkey international’s composure:
“I think it was a composed debut [by Bayindir]. Some good saves, so very composed. I think, overall, he can be happy.
“I was pleased with his performance.”
With his return date set to be before Thursday, Onana could be set to replace Bayindir in the lineup to face Wolves at Molineux this week. The Red Devils will be hoping to get back to winning ways against Wolves, having failed to win both of their last two Premier League games.
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