Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, a blow for Man Utd players Andre Onana and Bryan Mbeumo.Onana will not play at the World Cup.(Image: 2022 MB Media)

Manchester United pair Andre Onana and Bryan Mbeumo will not play at the World Cup next summer.

Onana and Mbeumo started against DR Congo in a World Cup qualifier play-off. Onana received praise for his display, but it wasn’t enough to stop DR Congo from ending Cameroon’s hopes of qualifying.

Former Newcastle and Porto defender Chancel Mbemba scored in added time to seal a 1-0 victory for his country, and Mbeumo looked crestfallen as he returned to the dressing room.

Speaking to Camerfoot, Cameroon manager Marc Brys praised Onana during his analysis of the result: “They have a different style. They need long balls for duels. We wanted to combine, progress and play with the ball.

“It’s not always the best team that wins. It’s a real shame because I don’t think the match was fair. We had two or three good opportunities. Andre Onana made a very good save at the end of the match.”

Cameroon hold the African record for the most appearances at the World Cup with eight, but they will be missing from the expanded 48-team tournament next year.

Onana has also received praise in the Turkish media since his move to Trabzonspor, who have lost just once in the league from a possible eight games since he was signed on loan.

The 29-year-old has recorded three clean sheets and helped Trabzonspor up to third in the table.

Trabzonspor agreed to pay Onana’s wages in full during his loan spell. The goalkeeper has benefited from a pay rise due to Turkey’s 20 per cent tax rate for players in the Super Lig.

Ruben Amorim omitted Onana from the squad against Arsenal on the opening day of the Premier League campaign and he was named on the bench against Fulham and Burnley.

Onana made high-profile mistakes against Nottingham Forest, Viktoria Plzen and Lyon last season, and he clashed with Nemanja Matic before facing Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final first leg.

Matic said Onana is “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history” at a press conference. Onana responded on social media, writing: “I would never be disrespectful to another club. We know that tomorrow will be a difficult game against a strong opponent.

“We focus on preparing a performance to make our fans proud. At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same.”

Onana’s contract at United is set to expire in the summer of 2028.

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