ONANA IN QUIT THREAT

DAVID MCDONNELL

BY

ANDRE ONANA was ready to quit the Africa Cup of Nations and return to Manchester United after a bust-up with Samuel Eto’o.

Onana became embroiled in a blazing row with Cameroon Football Federation President Eto’o and was subsequently dropped for their 3-2 win over Gambia.

But Onana realised he had to put his personal differences with

Eto’o (right) to one side and has decided to stay with the

Cameroon squad and support them, despite his omission.

Onana was replaced in goal by Fabrice Ondoa – his cousin – and the United keeper expects to be on the bench again for Saturday’s last-16 knockout game against Nigeria. He missed Cameroon’s opening group game, after being allowed to play in United’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Tottenham on January 14.

After that match, Onana took a private jet to join up with the Cameroon squad and returned to the side in a 3-1 defeat by Senegal, in which he was at fault for two goals.

That led to him being dropped for the final group game against Gambia, which proved the catalyst for his argument with former Barcelona and Chelsea striker Eto’o.

Witnesses to the row said the conversation started off amicably, before becoming “aggressive”, with both men shouting at each other. Onana (right) will miss his first game of the season for United on Sunday, when Erik ten Hag’s side travel to League Two Newport County in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Fellow summer signing, Turkey international Altay Bayindir is likely to replace Onana at Rodney

Parade, but the

United boss could opt for experience in the form of

38-year-old Tom

Heaton.

If Cameroon beat Nigeria, Onana would also miss United’s next Premier League game, against Wolves next Thursday, and could also miss the clash with West Ham at Old

Trafford three days later.