- Cameroon defeated Burundi 3-0 in their final AFCON qualifier to secure their spot
- Goalkeeper could be absent for as many as seven United games in the new year
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast It all starts!
Erik ten Hag could be without goalkeeper Andre Onana for as many as seven games in the new year after Cameroon qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Cameroon sealed their place at the tournament in Ivory Coast by beating Burundi 3-0 on Tuesday to top their qualifying group.
Onana played in the win after returning to the international squad and the £47million stopper is now expected to represent his country at the AFCON, which runs from January 13 to February 11.
If Cameroon goes all the way, Onana could miss four Premier League matches against Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa.
Furthermore, he could also miss the two-legged semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and the fourth round of the FA Cup if United get that far.
Andre Onana could miss up to seven Manchester United games in the new year after Cameroon sealed their place in the Africa Cup of Nations
Onana has ended her international retirement ahead of Cameroon’s AFCON qualifier against Burundi
It could cause United manager Ten Hag a headache if Onana goes to the tournament
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The first Champions League last-16 matches are also scheduled for the week after the AFCON final, meaning Onana could face a tight turnaround when he returns to England if Cameroon get that far and United make the knock out phase reached.
Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo, Christopher Wooh and Vincent Aboubakar took Cameroon to the final and topped Group C with seven points, ahead of Namibia.
United signed Onana from Inter Milan this summer, but also bought Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce and he was able to step in. Ten Hag also has 37-year-old goalkeeper Tom Heaton in its selection.
Sofyan Amrabat, the midfielder who joined Fiorentina on loan from United on deadline day, is likely to play at the AFCON with Morocco, who qualified in March.
Winger Amad Diallo could represent hosts Ivory Coast, while midfielder Hannibal Mejbri could feature for Tunisia in the competition.
This edition of the AFCON was postponed from the summer of 2023 due to concerns about the rainy season in Ivory Coast.
Onana left the national team after being sent home from the World Cup in Qatar last December following an argument with coach Rigobert Song.
But he confirmed his return to the international stage with a post on social media last Monday before playing against Burundi.
United will be back in action at home against Brighton on Saturday afternoon.
Onana went home from the World Cup in Qatar and retired from international football after a falling out with coach Rigobert Song – but they have now buried the hatchet
Onana has made an instant impact at Old Trafford after signing from Inter Milan for £47.2million