Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim, has urged goalkeeper Andre Onana to shift his attention to the upcoming Premier League clash against Newcastle, following a costly display in their 2-2 draw with Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.
The match began with Lyon taking the lead through Thiago Almada, whose free-kick slipped through the crowd and beat Onana at his near post.
United responded with a header from Leny Yoro just before the break, and Joshua Zirkzee looked to have sealed the win late on.
However, Onana’s error in the dying moments, spilling a routine shot into the path of Rayan Cherki, allowed the hosts to snatch a dramatic equalizer.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Amorim backed his goalkeeper and emphasized the need to regroup quickly ahead of the crucial fixtures ahead.
“It’s important [for Andre Onana] to focus on the next game in the Premier League, then think about the second leg.
“Against Lyon, when one player makes a mistake, the whole team makes a mistake,” Amorim said.
Manchester United are set to resume their campaign on Sunday with a high-stakes Premier League encounter against an in-form Newcastle United side led by Eddie Howe.
The Red Devils have begun to see some relief on the injury front in recent weeks. Kobbie Mainoo made a return in the Europa League draw against Lyon, coming off the bench for a brief appearance.
Ayden Heaven is also nearing a return to full training. However, youngster Toby Collyer is likely to be sidelined after sustaining a knock.
Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt and Amad Diallo remain unavailable and are expected to be out for several more weeks, though manager Ruben Amorim expressed hope they’ll return before the end of the season.
Following his costly mistake in the Lyon clash, Andre Onana will retain his place in goal for both the Newcastle fixture and the second leg against the French side, as confirmed by Amorim.
Despite growing criticism, Amorim has backed his No.1, though Altay Bayindir continues to wait in the wings. Up front, Joshua Zirkzee may be handed a start after coming on as a substitute and netting late in the Europa League tie.
Newcastle head into the weekend brimming with confidence, having remained unbeaten since lifting the League Cup in March, their first major silverware in seven decades. Currently in fifth place with a game in hand, victory on Sunday could see them leapfrog Chelsea into the top four.
Much of Newcastle’s surge can be attributed to the red-hot form of Alexander Isak.
The Swedish forward has struck 20 times in 27 matches this season, sparking interest from top Premier League clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal. The Magpies are now pushing to secure his future with a new contract.
Looking ahead to the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, United will be reacquainted with a familiar face in Nemanja Matic, now plying his trade with Lyon.
Matic stirred controversy on Thursday night by aiming a scathing remark at Andre Onana, branding the Cameroonian “one of the worst” players in United’s “history.”
Despite Lyon’s current fifth-place standing in Ligue 1, Onana has dismissed comparisons, saying United are “way better” than the French outfit.
“We all know the importance of this game, we will go there with the winning mentality,” said Onana, who also addressed criticism from fans this season. “It doesn’t affect me because the decision I make is to help the team. Sometimes I will make the right decision, sometimes I will make the wrong decision. When I feel my players need to rest I have to take my time; when I feel we need to speed up the game I will do it.”
Matic didn’t hold back in his response. “Onana? I respect everyone, but to say that, you need to give an answer. If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history, you need to take care what you’re talking [about],” the Serbian midfielder said. “If David de Gea or Peter Schmeichel or [Edwin] van der Sar said that, then I will question myself, but if you are one of the statistically worst goalkeepers in Man Utd modern history, then he needs to show that before he says. We will see.”
Matic also used the moment to criticize Manchester United’s approach off the pitch, saying the club has become “more commercial-minded” compared to Chelsea in a pointed remark.
