Manchester United can't afford an Andre Onana repeat with Altay Bayindir

When Manchester United spent £47million on Andre Onana in July, they wouldn't have expected to be losing their goalkeeper for up to a month in the New Year. When that deal was done, Onana had retired from international football and the door for a return appeared closed.

But relations have thawed between Onana and Cameroon coach Rigobert Song, who fell out during the World Cup a year ago leading to the goalkeeper calling time on his international career. Onana returned to national team duty in September and a place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad has appeared a formality since then.

Erik ten Hag has been diplomatic about the decision when asked, but his exit wouldn't have been in United's plans. The £4.3million deal to sign Altay Bayindir in the summer strengthened the goalkeeping group, but Turkey's No. 2 was a low-cost replacement for Dean Henderson. Now, he will be thrust into the spotlight after this weekend's trip to Nottingham Forest.

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Onana's departure after the game at the City Ground comes at a point when he is starting to really make an impact at Old Trafford. His superb reflect save to keep out Leon Bailey's volley in the second half on Boxing Day was crucial in United's comeback.

The former Ajax and Inter Milan goalkeeper has had a testing start to his career at the club and it was for reasons of adaption that he has played every minute of the season so far, including in the Carabao Cup games against Crystal Palace and Newcastle. It was a surprise to see Onana start in the third round against Palace, rather than giving a game to Bayindir or Tom Heaton.

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