Andre Onana Decision And Departure Date Confirmed, Michael Olise Links To Man United Revealed

It’s now been confirmed by United that Andre Onana will be able to play for Manchester United against Wigan and Tottenham before heading off to represent Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to David Ornstein,Andre Onana will travel to the tournament after United’s match against Tottenham Hotspur on January 14, meaning he would be available to play for his country the following day for Cameroon’s first group game against Guinea. That match kicks off just 23 hours after United’s fixture ends.

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As reported by the MEN’s Tyrone Marshall, Premier League clubs were given a deadline of January 1 to release their players for the tournament, but Cameroon officials have agreed to be flexible with Onana’s release date due to his desire to show loyalty to United and protect his status as first-choice goalkeeper after a £47million summer move from Inter Milan.

Michael Olise move would test Manchester United transfer strategy

The January transfer window might have only just opened but Manchester United are already looking ahead to the summer, when significant change can take place.

Although there is an appetite to do business this month, United’s power is limited by Financial Fair Play regulations, and there is pressure to sell players before they can even think about spending any of their own. It means this window will effectively be a bridge.

The focus is on forming a solid plan for the summer, so this month they will only eye short-term solutions and look for clarity on the future of a number of players. The Ineos investment will be ratified by then, and it is from the summer window that we can finally expect to see the impact of the new sporting structure in place.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be eager to prove United have learned from past transfer mistakes and a report today suggested a move for Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise could be high up on his list.

The 22-year-old is one of the most exciting players in the Premier League and it is suggested a release clause will become active in the summer, theoretically making it much easier for United to complete a deal for him.

Olise is reportedly viewed as a player who could help revitalise United’s woeful attack. He has scored five goals in seven Premier League starts since returning from a hamstring injury in November, including four in his last four matches.

United supporters largely appear to be excited by the links and, in particular, the fact he is somewhat proven in the English top flight, so he would represent less risk than many of their recent arrivals. It has become a common trope of Erik ten Hag’s tenure that he has favoured moves for players with a Dutch connection, and many of them have taken time to settle into their new surroundings, something United rarely have time to facilitate.

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A move for the Crystal Palace star would signal a clear break from their last few windows and perhaps be an indication that things are finally about to change at Old Trafford. Any sale of Jadon Sancho this year could fund a move for Olise, and the club will also consider proposals for fellow forward Anthony Martial.

However, the pursuit of another right winger would also cast doubts over the move to sign Antony for £86 million less than two years ago. United have spent £205 million on four right wingers across the last four summer windows, so there would need to be a good argument to go and buy another this summer.

Ratcliffe’s arrival will promise a new beginning but many fans will wait to see how the first summer ends before they begin to believe it.