Andre Onana is set to return between the sticks for Manchester United’s crucial UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon tonight. This comes after a tumultuous week for the Cameroonian goalkeeper, marked by a social media spat with former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic, a costly blunder in the first leg against the French side, and his subsequent absence from the Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Sunday.
The ongoing crisis at Manchester United has seemingly engulfed Onana, who has endured a significant dip in form, leading some to label him among the club’s worst-ever goalkeepers – a sentiment echoed by none other than Matic. Following Onana’s claim that United were “way better” than Lyon, Matic responded with a scathing assessment, a verbal jab that evidently preceded Onana’s shaky performance in the first leg where he was at fault for both Lyon goals in the 2-2 draw.
The pressure intensified when Onana was surprisingly omitted from the squad that faced Newcastle, a match the Red Devils lost 4-1, further fueling speculation about his future at the club. The list of potential replacements being linked with a move to Old Trafford continues to grow, with names like Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton) and Zion Suzuki (Parma) reportedly on United’s radar.
However, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has publicly backed his under-fire goalkeeper. Speaking ahead of tonight’s crucial encounter, Amorim stated, “When I imagine the game, I see Andre Onana. He had one weekend of rest, so now he is ready to return to competition, and I chose Andre to start this game. When I made that decision, I talked before with Andre, and that is important – to explain to the player to understand what I am thinking.”
Amorim’s decision underscores the importance of Onana to United’s European aspirations, despite the recent scrutiny. The manager’s words suggest an attempt to rebuild the keeper’s confidence and trust within the team.
Meanwhile, the performance of Onana’s understudy, Altay Bayindir, against Newcastle, where he conceded four goals, did little to quell the concerns surrounding the goalkeeping situation at the club. This shaky display arguably reinforces the need for United to explore other options in the summer transfer window.
Among the names being considered, Aaron Ramsdale has emerged as a strong contender. The former Arsenal goalkeeper, now at Southampton, reportedly has a £25 million release clause, making him an attractive prospect for several clubs, including United. His Premier League experience is seen as a valuable asset.
Another goalkeeper linked with a move to Manchester is Zion Suzuki. The Ghanaian-Japanese international currently plays for Parma in Italy and is considered a promising talent.
The situation is further complicated by potential departures from the current goalkeeping ranks at Old Trafford. Altay Bayindir is reportedly seeking first-team football elsewhere, and veteran Tom Heaton is nearing retirement, suggesting a potential overhaul of the goalkeeping department in the upcoming transfer window.
Tonight’s game against Lyon will be a significant test for Andre Onana. With the weight of recent criticism and the looming threat of replacement, he will need to put in a resolute performance to help Manchester United secure a place in the Europa League semi-finals and potentially silence his doubters, at least for now. The spotlight will undoubtedly be on him as the Red Devils aim to overcome the 2-2 draw from the first leg at Old Trafford.
UEFA Europa League – Quarter-Finals – Second Leg (Tonight)
- Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers (22:00 EAT)
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham (22:00 EAT)
- Lazio vs Bodo (22:00 EAT)
- Manchester United vs Olympique Lyon (22:00 EAT)
