Andre Onana risks missing derby in potential seven-game Ruben Amorim headache

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is set to miss a number of matches next season should he link up with Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations as anticipated
Andre Onana could potentially miss up to seven matches for Manchester United next season, assuming manager Ruben Amorim continues to back the goalkeeper. The Cameroonian has had a career marred by errors at Old Trafford since his £47million transfer from Inter Milan in 2023.
Despite several blunders last season against the likes of Lyon, Leicester and Brighton, he remained the club's first-choice keeper. However, his position is one that Amorim may look to strengthen this summer.
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Whether he keeps his place remains to be seen, but the 29-year-old is set for a potentially extended absence regardless due to Cameroon's participation in the Africa Cup of Nations later this year. The tournament has been moved forward from its usual slot.
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Taking place in Morocco, it will now run from December 21 to January 18. This means that Onana could miss as many as seven United matches if his nation make it to the final, with a clearer picture painted by 2025/26 Premier League fixtures being released on Wednesday.
The games he risks missing include clashes with Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Wolves, Leeds United, Burnley and Manchester City, as well as an FA Cup third round match scheduled among the league fixtures.
Onana will only miss the Manchester derby if Cameroon do go all the way. There's also a chance he could play against Villa on December 20, given that Cameroon's first group match against Gabon isn't until Christmas Eve, followed by games against Ivory Coast and Mozambique.
That would mean he'd have to join his international team-mates late, mirroring the controversy from two years ago when he missed the opening match of the 2023 tournament due to a late arrival at the national camp.
Onana played against Tottenham Hotspur just a day before their first group game against Guinea, drawing criticism from Togo legend Emmanuel Adebayor, who accused the goalkeeper of disrespecting his country.
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"He did not respect Cameroon," said the former Arsenal and Spurs striker. "I was a player like him, and even being the most important player in my selection, I never acted in this way.
"The fact that this situation is happening shows that there is a problem, perhaps even within the federation. He risks losing big, because he has alienated the Cameroonian supporters, as well as many African supporters and undoubtedly certain members of the team."
Altay Bayindir could be in line for a run in the first team if Amorim decides his goalkeeping situation is satisfactory, with the Turkish keeper having played 10 games across all competitions last season. According to the Athletic, Onana is set to stay at Old Trafford, although that doesn't guarantee he'll still be No. 1.
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