Andre Onana will make his return to the Manchester United starting line-up against Lyon, Ruben Amorim has revealed. It marks a swift return to action for the goalkeeper who missed the club’s last match after the Portuguese coach decided to give him time to recover from a taxing week.
Onana was left out of Manchester United’s squad that lost to Newcastle in the Premier League at the weekend, after the goalkeeper committed errors in the Red Devils’ Europa League draw with Lyon. The 29-year-old’s poor performance followed a public war of words with ex-United midfielder Nemanja Matic, who declared the shotstopper to be one of the club’s worst ever goalkeepers.
Amorim suggested that he hoped to keep Onana out of the spotlight at St James’ Park as Altay Bayindir deputised and Tom Heaton took a place among the substitutes. Onana’s understudy failed to prove overly convincing as the Premier League giants conceded four against the Carabao Cup winners.
But the 40-year-old United boss is happy to place his trust in Onana once again, as United look to secure progress to the semi-finals of the Europa League. Amorim hopes his actions will allow his No.1 to bounce back quickly from adversity.
“I think as a former coach and a player, I try to do things that can help a player in this situation,” Amorim said in his press conference. “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 revealed that he takes the advice of goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital when making decisions over who will start in goal. Ultimately the former Sporting boss takes the final decision and acts based upon his instincts in addition to the advice he receives.
“Of course, I have the conversations,” said Amorim. “But I have my feelings as a coach and as a former player.
“I make the valuation in the same way I would with other players. But Jorge Vital has a big part in my decision.”
“When I made that decision in the last week, I talked with Andre and that is important for me to explain what I am thinking,” Amorim continued. “I have the conversation [with my coaches] but it is my decision in the end. I think Andre deserves to return to the competition.”
“I am trying to be clear on things and make the valuation,” Amorim added. “Andre is ready to return and to start this game.”
The United boss also provided an update on Joshua Zirkzee, who was forced off the field in defeat to Newcastle. The Dutch forward has been confirmed as out for the rest of the season with the club’s attentioned turned to ensuring he is fit in time for next term.
“Joshua is out for the season,” Amorim said. “He is not going to play anymore this season.
“We must prepare him for next season. It is hard for any player to stop, but it’s football. He has to be ready to recover.”
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