goalkeeper insists he is prioritising playing for Cameroon despite missing the start of their Africa Cup of Nations campaign this week.
Cameroon drew 1-1 with Guinea in their Group C opener on Tuesday, while Onana watched the game from the sidelines after linking up late with his national side.
Onana played in United’s 2-2 draw with at Old Trafford on Sunday before he boarded a private jet later that evening which was flying to the Ivory Coast.
However, Onana’s plane was forced to land in Abidjan due to fog in Yamoussoukro, the city where Cameroon’s opener was held, which left the United goalkeeper stranded 150 miles away.
Onana made it to the stadium before kick off .
Reports have claimed that Onana was upset with the decision, while the United goalkeeper has faced heavy criticism for opting to remain with Erik ten Hag’s side instead of linking up earlier with the Cameroon squad.
‘I have a lot to say but I won’t say it here because we are in competition,’ Onana said after Cameroon’s draw with Guinea.
‘The most important thing is sacred union. We are here to win. I ask the supporters to support us in good times and bad.
‘I’m one of the leaders so I take my responsibilities and that’s why I’m here. I don’t want people to criticise the youngest. Let people continue to criticise me, I’m used to it, I do what is good for my country.
‘It’s like choosing between my father and my mother, but my country comes first, that’s why I’m here. We’re together.
‘I am here to represent my country, my continent. It is a huge honor for me to be here with my country. 40 years ago, our elders did something exceptional here. Coming to represent this beautiful country is the most important thing.
‘Concerning my playing time, it is the coach who will decide. We are here to win no matter who is playing. We have very good goalkeepers.’
When asked about his decision to omit Onana completely from his side’s AFCON opener against Guinea, Song said: ‘No, Andre, we all knew that [he wouldn’t play]. We need to stick to our logic.
‘He arrived at 4am, how do you expect him to play at 5pm?
‘He’s part of the group, he joined us at 4am, so he’s part of the squad.
‘There’s the rest of the competition and I’m sticking with my full squad.’
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