Man Utd learn Andre Onana selection fate for FA Cup clash v Newport as goalkeeper dropped by Cameroon

Andre Onana will not be available for Manchester United’s FA Cup encounter against Newport County this weekend after Cameroon progressed to the last-16 of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Indomitable Lions needed to beat Gambia in their final match of Group C in order to qualify for the knockout stages, and looked to be heading out of the competition with three minutes remaining of normal time as they trailed 2-1. But two late goals turned proceedings on their head and handed Cameroon a vital 3-2 win.

However, Onana watched the game from the bench having been sensationally dropped by manager Rigobert Song. The United goalkeeper was an unused substitute for the opening group game against Guinea, having arrived just hours before the encounter, but after playing in Friday's 3-1 defeat to Senegal it was presumed he would be selected for the group decider.

Onana has endured a difficult relationship with FA president Samuel Eto’o and was sent home early from the 2022 World Cup following a heated argument with Song and Eto’o. After coming out of international retirement earlier this year, Onana played in October and November fixtures for Cameroon but it was unclear in the build-up to AFCON whether he would be involved in the squad.

In his place, Fabrice Ondoa, Onana’s cousin, was selected between the sticks on Tuesday and put in an impressive display. He made excellent first-half stops to twice keep out Yankuba Minteh and then Musa Barrow.

Cameroon came flying out of the traps after the break, though and Georges-Kevin N'Koudou struck the crossbar before Karl Toko Ekambi turned in the former Tottenham Hotspur winger’s cross in the 56th minute to score the game's first goal. But Gambia responded excellently with Albie Jallow and Ebrima Colley netting for the side who have never won a game at AFCON. James Gomez then inadvertently turned Enzo Tchato’s cross into his own goal in a frantic end to proceedings.

Christopher Wooh headed in an injury-time winner to break Gambia hearts and secure a second-place finish for Cameroon in Group C. Although there was even later drama as Muhammed Sanneh appeared to have nodded in a sixth goal of the second half, but replays proved the defender had punched the ball into the net and it was disallowed.

It means Cameroon move on to face Nigeria in Saturday's last-16 tie, which will take place less than 24 hours before United travel to Newport in the FA Cup. It had been reported in the Daily Mail earlier on Tuesday that Erik ten Hag plans to hand Altay Baynidir a starting berth regardless of Onana's availability.

The Turkish goalkeeper has not played a single minute since his summer switch from Fenerbahce. Tom Heaton is another option for Ten Hag.