Ruben Amorim has confirmed that goalkeeper Andre Onana will start on Thursday for Manchester United against Lyon.
Onana made two blunders when United 2-2 drove with Lyon in the first stage of the quarterfinals draw of the Europa League last week.
After he had labeled United as “much better” than Lyon for the game, Onana was humble behind when he allowed Thiago Almada to crawl into Lyon's Opener, before he then chose the ball directly to Rayan Cherki for the French club for the French club to compare the last kick of the game.
The former Ajax and Inter-goalkeeper have made eight errors that directly lead to goals in all competitions since the start of last season, which is more than any other Premier League-shot stopper at the time.
Onana was then taken out of the shooting line for United's visit to Newcastle United last Sunday, although his replacement Altay Bayindir hardly made his chance.
United lost 4-1, where Bayindir made a mistake for Newcastle's fourth goal when he played a bad pass with Joelinton directly.
And Amorim has now revealed that Onana will be back in the United line-up for the second stage against Lyon.
8 – Since the beginning of last season, no keeper has made more mistakes that leads to goals for Premier League clubs in all competitions than André Onana van Manchester United (8). Exhibition. pic.twitter.com/G8VQ2HMZES
– Optajoe (@Optajoe) April 10, 2025
“Onana will play tomorrow,” Amorim said Thursday.
“As a coach and former player, I first try to do things that a player can help in this situation.
“We are talking about physical management of players, but we also have to manage them mentally.
“We had a weekend in which I thought it was better for Onana not to play and a good thing for Altay to play.
“When I made that decision last weekend, I previously talked with Andre. That is important for me to explain what I think.
“Sometimes it's my feelings as a coach who can make my decision more than what they say to me. I have the conversation, but then it's my decision in the end.”
Asked if he feels that Onana is ready for a comeback, Amorim replied: “Yes, I have that feeling for sure. The team is the most important thing. I don't put Andre because I think Andre deserves to return to the competition, I think of the game because it is really important to us.”
Reports have suggested that United will try to replace Onana in the summer, but wants to work Amorim to improve the 29-year-old.
Amorim said: “We have to improve. What we have to do is improve every position in the team with the players we have and try to bring characteristics for next year.
“My answer is that we have to improve every position in the field. Goalkeeper is the same, we can work with Andre.
“If our team scores more goals and is more dangerous in Vooruit [positions] We will defend better. Onana has already proven that he is a top player at Inter. So he has a pass.
“We are going to make that evaluation for every position in the team. When we talk about mistakes, you can see my record – my record is the worst in our team and I can also perform behind. I think I am the right man to coach the team and I think the same for Andre.”
Training in the rain that runs the glove #mufc || #Uel
– Manchester United (@manutd) April 16, 2025
Harry Maguire meanwhile insisted that Onana is the right goalkeeper for United.
“Andre has proven in his past that he is an excellent keeper,” said England's international.
“He has won countless trophies, he played in the final of the Champions League. During a career you always have spells of ups and downs and you notice a bit out of shape. It's about how you build yourself again and find that trust to perform again.
“Playing for Andre it is great. I have faith in Andre, he has had a fantastic career. He has great experience and we all know that he is an excellent keeper.”
This will be the third time that United has had to deal with Lyon in the European competition in Old Trafford, where the Red Devils win both earlier meetings (2-1 in November 2004 and 1-0 in March 2008).
Lyon has only lost one of their last nine European matches against parties from England (W4 D4), a 3-0 defeat against West Ham during the 2021-22 Europa League.
They are also unbeaten in their last 12 from the Europa League matches (W9 D3), since a 1-0 defeat against Atalanta in December 2017.
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