Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed Andre Onana will return to the starting line-up against Lyon.
The Cameroon international was dropped for Sunday’s match at Newcastle to allow the goalkeeper to ‘disconnect’ after a dramatic week.
Onana was at fault for both goals in United’s 2-2 draw at Lyon on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
The former Ajax and Inter goalkeeper, who had made headlines in the build-up to the match when he described United as ‘way better’ than the Ligue 1 outfit, has been left out of the squad for the St James’ Park clash, with Altay Bayindir drafted in.
Turkey international, Bayindir, fared little better in goal, however, and will return to the substitutes’ bench tomorrow night.
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Asked directly who would start against the French side, Amorim said: ‘Onana, he will play tomorrow.’
On United’s goalkeeping situation in general, he added: ‘As a coach and former player first of all I try to do things that can help a player in this situation.
‘We speak about managing players physically but we also have to manage them also mentally.
‘We had one weekend where I felt it was better for Andre Onana not to play and a good thing for Altay [Bayindir] to play.’
Onana, meanwhile, received a ringing endorsement from Harry Magiure, who knows a thing or two about responding to adversity.
‘First and foremost Andre has proved in his past that he is an excellent goalkeeper,’ said Maguire.
Harry Maguire’s backing for Andre Onana
‘He has won numerous trophies, he has played Champions League finals. During a career you always have spells of ups and downs and you find yourself a little bit out of form.
‘It is about how you build yourself back in and find that confidence to perform again.
‘At the moment he is probably feeling that everything is going against him. You take it game-by-game.
‘He’ll be there tomorrow night and he is a big personality, a big character and he will be looking forward to the game. He will want to show everyone again what he is about.
‘Playing in front of Andre it’s great. I have confidence in Andre, he has had a fantastic career. He has great experience and we all know he is an excellent goalkeeper.’
More to follow...