Onana to miss AFCON start for PL game

 André Onana is set to miss Camer­oun’s first game at the Africa Cup of Nations to make himself available for Manchester United’s Premier League fixture against Tottenham, a source has told ESPN.

Onana was given permission by the Camerounian FA to skip a warm-up camp in Saudi Arabia to feature for United against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Monday.

The goalkeeper is set to delay his departure even further to play against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday, and a source has told ESPN that the Cameroun Federa­tion have accepted he is unlikely to be available for their first AFCON group game against Guinea 24 hours later on Jan. 15.

Onana is set to play in the final two games in Group C against Sen­egal on January 19 and Gambia on January 23

He will miss United’s FA Cup fourth round tie against either Newport County or Eastleigh on the weekend of January 27-28 and could remain with Cameroun until February 11 if they were to reach the final of the tournament, which is being held in Cote d’Ivoire.

Meanwhile, British billionaire, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is set to be in the stands for the first time since agreeing a deal to buy a 25% stake in United when Tottenham visit Old Trafford this weekend.

Ratcliffe, chairman and CEO of INEOS, has held talks with manager Erik ten Hag at Carrington and met members of the first team squad and will attend his first game on Sunday.

INEOS Director of Sport, Sir Dave Brailsford, was at the DW Stadium for the 2-0 win over Wigan on Monday alongside Jean-Claude Blanc, chief executive of INEOS sport, and current football director, John Murtough.

Brailsford and Blanc are set to take up INEOS’ two seats on Unit­ed’s board once Ratcliffe’s minority stake is ratified.

A source has told ESPN that Brailsford has been a constant presence at Carrington since the deal was announced on Christmas Eve and has been holding a series of meetings with key personnel during the transition period before the agreement is officially signed off. — ESPN

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