Andre Onana flew straight to the Africa Cup of Nations last night after Manchester United played Tottenham at Old Trafford – with less than a day to make it to Cameroon’s tournament opener.

The United goalkeeper delayed flying out to AFCON in Ivory Coast so he could play in the critical Premier League clash with Spurs, which finished 2-2.

United battled to a draw in front of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who was in attendance at Old Trafford for the first time since his £1.3billion investment in the club was announced.

And as fans filtered out of Old Trafford at around 6.30pm, Onana faced a quick turnaround as he began the 4,800-mile journey from Manchester on a private jet ahead of Cameroon’s AFCON opener against Guinea on Monday.

The 27-year-old posted a picture of him on a plane at 11pm on social networking platform Snapchat.

Andre Onana smiled as he caught a flight out to AFCON after Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham

United finished their match against Spurs at around 6.30pm on Sunday and Cameroon wil play against Guinea at 5pm on Monday

Mail Sport understands that Cameroon intend Onana to be on the bench for the Group C clash in Yamoussoukro, which kicks off at 5pm GMT, following his seven-hour flight.

His distant cousin Fabrice Ondoa, who plays in the French third division, is expected to take the gloves for the match.

Cameroon, managed by former Liverpool and West Ham player Rigobert Song, will face Guinea, Senegal, and Gambia in their group.

Senegal are the defending champions after winning the tournament for the first time by defeating Egypt the last time it was held.

Onana missed Cameroon’s warm-up game against Zambia to play in the 2-0 FA Cup third-round win over Wigan last week.

The fact that United fought so hard to get him to stay and play against Wigan sends a dispiriting message to United number two Altay Bayindir.

It is possible Onana might not miss any United matches during his time at AFCON. Cameroon’s final group game against Gambia is on January 23, and If Rigobert Song’s side are eliminated, Onana could feasibly be back for the fourth round of the FA Cup.

United have been drawn to play either Eastleigh or Newport away on Sunday, January 28 at 4:30pm.

If Cameroon go all the way to the final on February 11, Onana could be absent for up to four matches. United play Wolves away on February 1, before a home clash with West Ham on February 4 and a tough trip to Aston Villa a week later.

Although Onana has concerns over losing his place to Bayindir, he had no option but to answer his country’s call-up under FIFA rules.

Despite coming out of international retirement in September, there are still thought to be issues with Cameroon football federation president Samuel Eto’o dating back to Onana’s expulsion from his country’s World Cup camp in November 2022.

Onana missed Cameroon’s warm-up game against Zambia to play against Wigan and was kept busy against Tottenham

Mail Sport gave Onana a six for his performance against Spurs, feeling he could have come out for the corner that Richarlison scored from

Onana, who they signed from Inter Milan for £47.1million, had his work cut out against Tottenham.

Rasmus Hojlund gave the Red Devils an early lead but Richarlison headed in a corner 16 minutes later, with some blaming Onana for the goal.

Marcus Rashford put the home side ahead again before Rodrigo Bentancur restored parity after half-time.

Mail Sport gave Onana a six for his performance, while Hojlund and Rashford stood out, scoring an eight and a seven respectively.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe was pictured alongside Sir Alex Ferguson as he attended his first game since completing his £1.3bn investment in the club for a 25 per cent stake.

His INEOS team will take sporting control of the club’s operations and wholesale changes once their investment is ratified by the Premier League.

Ferguson is currently a director on United’s football board and joined Ratcliffe in executive seating at Old Trafford as Spurs made the visit for the club’s first home game of the New Year.

New investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) and Sir Alex Ferguson (right) were seen chatting at Old Trafford

Ratcliffe was all smiles ahead of watching his first game at Old Trafford since his investment

The 82-year-old has offered advice to the club since his retirement in 2013 and is expected to be involved in discussions again as Ratcliffe and his business partner Sir Dave Brailsford prepare to make changes in United’s structure.

Speaking at an informal get-together with the media before Sunday’s match, he said: ‘It’s the first match for me since we got here.

‘I am very excited to be here, but I can’t answer any questions really.. It’s a big match. We normally do well against Spurs.’

‘Correct. Yes. I have done a few exciting things but there is no question. It’s taken a few turns, as you know, but these things take some doing. (It will be completed) early to mid-February. Hopefully we don’t find anything dodgy!’