Ruben Amorim confirms goalkeeper for Lyon clash

Liam Williams Published: 16 Apr 25 12:50

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed Andre Onana will start against Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Onana was left out of the matchday squad for the trip to Newcastle with the manager seemingly giving his keeper a few days to clear his head, though Amorim welcomes his number one back.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, 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 Onana to play."

Onana has been subject to much scrutiny in recent weeks with a number of mental lapses in concentration leading to goals. Off-field matters were made worse with Onana's partner the victim of a recent robbery, and the under-fire goalkeeper faced more heat after perhaps unwisely claiming his side were “way better” than their French opponents prior to last week's tie.

When Onana's remarks were put to Nemanja Matic in the pre-match press conference, the former United midfielder said: “If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history, you need to take care what you're talking about.

"If it was [Edwin] Van der Sar, [Peter] Schmeichel or [David] De Gea saying that, then I would question myself. But you need to have cover to say something like that."

Onana quickly backtracked on his comments; taking to social media, Onana said: "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.”

But Onana couldn’t stop himself from a retaliatory swipe at Matic. Referring to his five trophyless years at Old Trafford, Onana said: "At least I've lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can't say the same."

Rather predictably, Onana was given a hostile reception by the Lyon supporters before kick-off, and the Cameroonian failed to cover himself in glory for either of Lyon’s goals, the second being a 95th-minute equaliser.

Onana has divided United fans since arriving at Old Trafford two years ago. The former Inter keeper was seen as a more modern number one, and more suitable to United’s desired playing style, building out from the back, in contrast to predecessor David de Gea, who was a talented shot stopper, but often found wanting when it came to playing the ball with his feet.

Unfortunately for Onana, he’s not been used to the same effect at United as he was at Inter, where Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about the 29-year-old in glowing terms.

Ahead of their UEFA Champions League final in 2023, Guardiola singled out Onana as the reason the side were so difficult to press against; indeed, Onana shone in the final with both his shot-stopping and ball-playing skills.

His time at Old Trafford has been marred by a number of sloppy mistakes, however, and it’s not impossible the keeper parts ways with the club in the summer.

Amorim will hope Onana’s confidence returns for their crucial Europa League clash with Lyon, where United are still favourites as they bid to keep their season alive.

Despite an absolutely disastrous campaign, United could still play UEFA Champions League football next season by winning the Europa League, though that will involve getting past Lyon and then the winners of the Athletic Club/Rangers tie in the semi-finals before a final in Bilbao.

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