Andre Onana will start for Manchester United against Lyon - says Amorim

Photo Credit - Manchester United Media.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed that goalkeeper Andre Onana will start against Lyon in their Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Cameroon custodian was missing in action as the Red Devils suffered a humiliating 4-1 Premier League defeat against Newcastle United on Sunday. During the fixture at St. James’ Park, Altay Bayindir was preferred to start after Onana’s blunders in the 2-2 first leg draw against Lyon.

"Onana will play tomorrow (Thursday)," Amorim said on Wednesday as quoted by the club's official website. "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 Onana not to play and a good thing for Altay to play.

"When I made that decision last weekend I talked before with Andre. That is important for me to explain to the player what I am thinking. Sometimes it is my feelings as a coach that can make my decision more than what they are saying to me. I have the conversation but then it is my decision in the end."

Asked if he feels Onana is ready for a comeback, Amorim replied: "Yeah, I have that feeling for sure. The team is the most important thing. I'm not putting Andre because I think Andre deserves to return to competition, I'm thinking about the game because it is really important for us."

In a previous interview, former Man United defender Wes Brown had called on Amorim to consider starting Onana for the Lyon return leg.