Europa League Showdown: Ruben Amorim Set to Recall Onana for Manchester United's Clash Against Lyon
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed that goalkeeper Andre Onana is set to return to the starting XI for the crucial UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg against Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday night.
The 29-year-old Cameroonian was dropped for United's recent Premier League defeat to Newcastle United, following two costly errors in the first-leg 2-2 draw with Lyon. Those blunders had raised questions about his confidence and form, but Amorim has now made it clear that Onana is mentally prepared to step back in between the sticks.
“We have to manage players both physically and mentally. Onana is ready; he had one weekend that was better for him not to play and better for Altay to play,” Amorim told reporters.
“This week, my thinking was to put Onana to play.”
Amorim’s empathetic approach — shaped by his own experience as a former player — seems focused on rebuilding the goalkeeper’s confidence without throwing him under the bus.
However, there was bad news for United fans as Amorim confirmed that striker Joshua Zirkzee will miss the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury, dealing a significant blow to the Red Devils’ attacking options.
Opinion: A Bold but Necessary Call from Amorim
Ruben Amorim’s decision to bring Onana back for such a high-stakes match is both brave and calculated. In truth, the best way to rebuild a goalkeeper’s confidence is to show faith in him — not sideline him indefinitely. Onana, despite his errors, is still one of the most experienced shot-stoppers in the squad and has proven his quality in big matches before.
By giving him a short break and shielding him from the heat of criticism, Amorim made the right call in the Newcastle game. But this is the Europa League — and United need their best players. It’s now up to Onana to repay that trust with a commanding performance.
The real challenge, though, might be coping without Zirkzee, whose intelligent link-up play and creativity have become crucial to United’s attacking transitions. His absence will force Amorim to rethink his front line — possibly giving more responsibility to Rasmus Højlund or even a tactical reshuffle involving Bruno Fernandes in a more advanced role.
All eyes are on Old Trafford — and with the tie delicately poised, this could be one of those European nights where heroes are made or broken. If Onana rises to the occasion, this could mark the beginning of a redemption arc fans will never forget.