Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana has reportedly decided he is not going to AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) when he originally planned to as the Cameroonian shot-stopper is now set tomiss his country’s opener this weekend.
Onana was due to fly to the Ivory Coast in time for the tournament’s start and Cameroon’s first match against Guinea on Saturday, 13 January but, according toiSport, he has now decided to remain with Man United for a key Premier League meeting with Spurs on Sunday.
The outlet claims that the 27-year-old is wary of losing his place to backup keeper, Altay Bayindir, and is instead focusing on shoring up his position after a somewhat shaky start to life at Old Trafford.
Bayindir is still yet to make a single appearance for United since joining in September 2023, with Onana also remaining in goal for the FA Cup win over Wigan but was expected to get his first run out in the no.24’s absence. However, it is now looking like he could potentially be waiting even longer.
Sources close to Onana have assured he has been given the green light by Cameroon’s FA — headed up by footballing legend Samuel Eto’o — to miss the opening game, but there is apparently a possibility that he might not feature in it whatsoever.
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Not only is pretty rare for a nation to change the player between the posts in the middle of a major international tournament but given the number one’s tumultuous past with his team’s head coach, Rigobert Song, skipping even one game could prove problematic.
Onana technically retired from international football in December 2022 after continuously clashing with Song over the team’s tactics and playing style, being sent home from the Qatar World Cup and then retiring at the age of just 26.
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He issued an emotional statement following what he stated was an enforced exclusion.
Onana ultimately came out of retirement late last year due to the “expectation and support of Cameroonians”, but those in and around the national team set-up insist that just because he has returned to the fold doesn’t mean that he and the manager have patched things up.
Nevertheless, were the five-time AFCON winners (the second-most successful nation of all time) to go out in the group stages, it would mean the former Ajax and Inter Milan keeper wouldn’t have to miss a single minute for United as their next game after Spurs isn’t until 27 January.
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Given he has remained a bit of an unknown quantity, many fans would have also been keen to see how his Turkish stand-in performed when given a few games, but plenty will argue that the last thing Onana needs is dropping out of the team and having to regain his form at club level.
What about you, Reds — would you like the opportunity to see what Bayindir is made of or are you hoping Onana stays home?
Manchester Marathon found fresh community fund following milestone charitable efforts
Danny Jones
The Manchester Marathon has begun a new community fund following more than a decade of incredible charity efforts.
Known as the Trafford Active Fund for the last 10 years or so, the initiative covers not only the city and its wider boroughs’ annual 26.2-mile long race, but various other sports and activity-based schemes across the region.
Now, though, the fresh Manc Marathon Fund is evolving in partnership with the existing Trafford Moving Fund and MCRactive arm of Manchester City Council by expanding its vital charity work further afield than ever before.
Launching ahead of the 2026 event this spring, runners will once again be behind crucial funding across the Greater Manchester region and beyond.
The new Manchester Marathon Community Fund logo (Credit: Supplied)
For context, back in 2024, the MCR Marathon raised nearly £30 million for the local economy and roughly £3.7m for charities like the Alzheimer’s Society; last April, that figure surpassed more than £4m, and the fundraising numbers only continue to increase with every year.
With that in mind, more than £60k is distributed to various partner programmes that “inspire movement, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful change for local people”.
Moving forward, not only will £1 from every paid entry into the Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half continue to go directly into the Manchester Marathon Community Fund (MMCF).
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of A.S.O. UK – organisers of the MCR Marathon and Half – said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact the Trafford Active Fund has delivered locally over the years, and we’re excited to extend that impact across both Trafford and Manchester City [Centre].
“By broadening our reach, the MMCF will help even more people to get active and contribute to a legacy of movement and wellbeing. Our relationship with Trafford remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to support the brilliant community projects that make a real difference there.”
Community groups and projects in Trafford or the City of Manchester can apply for funding via the Trafford Moving Fund and MCR Active (dependent on their location).
A panel from each organisation reviews applications and selects projects that best demonstrate lasting impact.
We share stories from funded projects throughout the year, so you can see the difference your event entry makes.
We love how much the North West regularly dedicates its charitable efforts, both socially and physically, towards important causes throughout the year.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Manchester Marathon/ASO UK)
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Academy graduate Oscar Bobb is leaving Manchester City on a permanent transfer
Danny Jones
Manchester City youth academy graduate Oscar Bobb is leaving the club after sealing a move to Fulham FC.
Despite plenty of loan interest throughout the January transfer window, the Man City attacker has secured a switch to the in-form West London team on a permanent basis.
Bobb looked increasingly likely to leave in some capacity following the arrival of another winger in the form of instant hit, Antoine Semenyo, but it now looks as though his departure is all but confirmed, bar an imminent official announcement.
As reported by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the agreement has now been reached between the two clubs pending a full medical today (Thursday, 29 January).
According to Romano, Fulham will pay Man City approximately £27 million for Bobb’s services, who becomes the latest addition in what has already been a fairly busy period of recruitment.
He goes on to add that “City also mantain [a] 20% sell-on clause, matching rights and future control on the player based on his decision.”
There is no suggestion of a buy-back clause at this time, but given his age and having already made a fair few appearances for Pep Guardiola‘s first team, it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility to see him return to the club one day.
Bobb also arrives at Craven Cottage following the exit of multiple wingers and offensive options, including Adama Traore, ex-Man United product Andreas Pereira and Arsenal youngster, Reiss Nelson, whose loan deal has expired and has signed another temporary deal at local rivals, Brentford.
Had it not been for that injury I know he would’ve been class for City for a long time, and let’s not forget that goal v Newcastle pic.twitter.com/inGxi5UjPM
The young Norwegian winger joined the Etihad Campus back in 2023 and went on to contribute a handful of goals and assists, despite limited appearances and some very unfortunate injury issues.
Only seven months ago, his soon-to-be former parent club released a short video charting his return from the sidelines after fracturing his leg – a setback which kept him out for roughly five months.
Plenty of fans have quickly placed him in the so-called ‘what if?’ category of players, and given that he’s still just 22 years old and has already impressed on a number of ocassions for such a big club, we wouldn’t be surprised if he goes on to have a very exciting career.
Can you see the Blues bringing in or letting anyone else go before deadline day?
Danny Jones -
10th January 2024 
