Andre Onana must think of his career when he decides whether to miss part of the Premier League season to go to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, says former Manchester United and Cameroon midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba.
Cameroon’s Onana could miss more than a month of United’s campaign if he joins his country’s squad at the tournament in Ivory Coast.
The 27-year-old, who ended his international retirement in September, has come under scrutiny during a poor start to the season for United which has seen them knocked out of Europe and well off the pace domestically.
“One of the problems for him is even if he plays well over the next month, he then goes away for a month to Afcon,” Djemba-Djemba told BBC Sport Africa, adding that Onana could damage his prospects of being first choice for Cameroon if he stays in Manchester.
“He knows if he goes, maybe he will lose his place at Manchester United.
“He has to decide what is best for him. He just needs to do what is best for his career.”
Afcon starts on 13 January, with the final on 11 February, and Onana could miss up to four Premier League matches for United depending on how far Cameroon progress at the finals.