'Bayindir can't be any worse!' - Man Utd told they won't miss Onana and 'should call' ex keeper

Mark Lawrenson has claimed Manchester United will benefit from the absence of Andre Onana during the Africa Cup of Nations. With the former Liverpool man also telling The Red Devils to consider the possibility of signing David de Gea on a short-term deal.

Onana, 27, was called up to the Cameroon national team by Rigobert Song for the upcoming AFCON tournament but will still feature for United in Sunday's clash against Tottenham Hotspur, after the club and Cameroonian Football Federation came to an agreement which will see Onana link-up with his international teammates after the game at Old Trafford.

Following the conclusion of the fixture against Spurs on Sunday, Onana will fly directly to the Ivory Coast in time to feature in their opening game of the tournament against Guinea, which kicks off just 23 hours after the game against Ange Postecoglou's team finishes.

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Despite his loyalty to the Red Devils, Onana has received criticism for his performances since completing a £47million transfer from Inter Milan this summer, having played every minute of the season for the club. It's criticism that Mark Lawrenson has since echoed, as he commented on the imminent exit for Onana and the impact it could have on Erik ten Hag's side moving forward.

“Altay Bayindir can’t be any worse than André Onana! The number of mistakes that Onana has made, Manchester United won’t be any worse off if he heads to AFCON," Lawrenson said to Paddy Power. "Sometimes you have to throw someone in – this is his chance. Hopefully, he’ll get some protection, which Onana has never had, but he’s been poor anyway.

"He’s a 5/10