Andre Onana WILL leave Man United behind to play for Cameroon at AFCON after months of wrangling over a decision amid fears he will lose his place… but row with Samuel Eto’o still hangs over him

It's been a year since Andre Onana retired from international football after being expelled from Cameroon's World Cup camp in Qatar.

If Onana is included in Rigobert Song's squad for next month's Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast on Thursday, it could give the impression that the Manchester United goalkeeper is bridging the gap with his manager and, more importantly, Samuel Eto, the boss of the Cameroon Football Federation, has written a poem. Oh. Nothing could be further from the truth.

This is a story about personalities and politics, bitterness and recriminations. Of allegations of corruption and intimidation. One that explains why Onana's participation in the AFCON has been shrouded in so much secrecy and uncertainty since he joined United from Inter Milan for £47.2 million this summer.

Even last Friday, when Erik ten Hag was repeatedly asked whether he would lose Onana for six games at the tournament, which starts on January 13, the United manager was reluctant to confirm whether his first-choice goalkeeper will report for international employ. The feeling is that he will, but with some reluctance.

Onana was kicked out of the selection last year after an argument with coach Rigobert Song (left)

Man United boss Erik ten Hag was reluctant to discuss Onana's involvement in AFCON

Onana fears losing his place to United's number 2 Altay Bayindir after a difficult start to his career in English football.

Ten Hag has remained loyal to his former Ajax goalkeeper and has not played a minute against Bayindir this season, but Onana knows that the football world can turn very quickly.

However, this is only half the story. The rest revolves around the 27-year-old's acrimonious exit from the World Cup last November following his fallout with Song and Eto'o.

It started after Cameroon lost their group opener against Switzerland and Song asked the goalkeeper not to take so many risks when playing from the back.

Known for his skill with the ball at his feet, Onana had made World Cup history by having more touches outside his penalty area than any goalkeeper since records began in 1966. He disagreed with Song and a heated argument ended with him falling a second time. match against Serbia.

Eto'o even ordered Onana not to travel with the team and to stay in the Cameroonian hotel in Doha. Song, his former international teammate and captain, agreed.

Onana remains in conflict with legendary striker and federation president Samuel Eto'o

It is understood that both Onana and Song felt there was still a way back before Cameroon's third match against Brazil, until Eto'o intervened again. The federation issued a statement saying he had been suspended for disciplinary reasons and booked him a plane ticket to Paris.

Despite last-minute attempts by members of the Cameroonian government to reach a peace agreement, Onana flew home a month later on December 23 and retired from international football.

In July, as his move from Inter to United was underway, Henri Njalla Quan, former director of the Cameroon Football Federation, accused Eto'o of trying to destroy Onana's career. “Eto'o wanted to get rid of Onana at all costs,” Njalla said.

Njalla separately claimed that Eto'o paid a football official £1,300 to follow him and that the man then threatened his family and warned that he would 'walk around naked' before dying.

It was also claimed that leaked voice messages showed former Barcelona and Chelsea striker Eto'o offering to fix matches so his friend's club could gain promotion to Cameroon's top flight. Eto'o denies the allegations against him.

Despite everything, Onana reversed his decision in September and retired.

He made his comeback in the win over Burundi, which secured Cameroon's qualification for AFCON, then featured in matches against Senegal and Mauritius, and was on the bench in Russia.

Onana reversed his decision to quit international football in September

However, it is said that he and Eto'o have not exchanged a word in over a year and ignore each other whenever they meet. The fear now is that an argument that has been dormant for more than a year could flare up again at any moment.

Eto'o would resent Onana's challenge to his authority. Song is in the middle of their feud, but is likely to side with his old friend and federation president.

Against this backdrop, Onana will be included in the Cameroon squad. If he were to refuse – or even retire again – strict FIFA rules could mean he would be banned from playing for United for the duration of the tournament.

Talks are ongoing over how long he can stay in England before Cameroon opens their Group C campaign against Guinea on January 15.

What happens next is anyone's guess.