Man United manager Ruben Amorim makes major Andre Onana decision before Europa League decider – as he reveals a star’s season is over
Andre Onana is set to return to the Manchester United starting XI for the biggest game of their season against Lyon on Thursday night.
Goalkeeper Onana, 29, was dropped for the Premier League trip to Newcastle United at the weekend and his future has been under serious question this week.
But Ruben Amorim is ready to place the much-criticised stopper back in the firing line in the game that will decide United’s season.
‘Onana will play tomorrow,’ Amorim said. ‘I think as a former coach and a player, I try to do things that can help a player in this situation.
‘We talk about managing players physically, but we also have to manage them mentally. This week, my thinking was to put [Andre] Onana to play.’
Amorim putting his faith in Onana comes after the goalkeeper made two errors in last week’s 2-2 draw in the first leg in Lyon.
Andre Onana will be back in goal for Man United’s must-win match with Lyon on Thursday
Onana had heaped pressure on himself prior to the match after getting into a public spat with ex-United star Nemanja Matic when he claimed the Red Devils are ‘way better’ than Lyon.
Matic, who now plays for Lyon, hit back by claiming Onana is ‘one of the worst goalkeeper’s in United’s history’.
Onana proceeded to endure a miserable evening in France, but will get the chance to redeem himself at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Amorim has been hit with a major injury blow as he revealed he will be without Joshua Zirkzee for the rest of the season.
Zirkzee pulled up with a hamstring problem during Sunday’s 4-1 loss at Newcastle, and the injury is serious to keep him out for the remainder of the campaign.
There was better news with regards to Amad Diallo, though.
The Ivorian forward has not played since early February after suffering an ankle injury.
It was initially feared that his season was over, but Amorim has provided a positive update on his condition.
Diallo is not expected to play this month, but there is hope that he will return to the squad for the final weeks of the season in May.
More to follow.
