Ruben Amorim will recall Man Utd flop Andre Onana who ‘deserves to return’

Ruben Amorim has stated he will recall Andre Onana back into the team for Manchester United’s crucial Europa League second-leg tie against Lyon at Old Trafford

Ruben Amorim will recall Andre Onana for Manchester United’s crunch showdown with Lyon at Old Trafford.

Onana was made the scapegoat for United’s 2-2 draw with Lyon in last week’s Europa League quarter final, first leg. The Cameroon stopper made two howlers, to leave the tie hanging in the balance ahead of Thursday’s crunch second leg at Old Trafford.

Amorim axed Onana from his squad for last weekend’s trip to Newcastle, but saw United hammered at St James’ Park, when Altay Bayindir made some costly mistakes of his own. And now Amorim is set to bring Onana back for the team’s biggest game of the season, in a huge show of faith from the Portuguese coach.

Amorim said: “Onana will play. I think as a former coach and a player, I try to do things that can help a player in this situation.

“We talk about managing players physically, but we also have to manage them mentally. This week, my thinking was to put Onana in to play.

“I am trying to be clear on things and make the valuation. Andre is ready to return and to start this game. I think he deserves to return to the competition.”

United defender Harry Maguire has backed Onana and he said: “First and foremost, Andre has proved in the past that he’s an excellent goalkeeper.

“He has won numerous trophies, but you always have spells in your career where you have ups and downs. At the moment he is probably feeling that everything is going against him. But playing in front of Andre is great.

“I have confidence in Andre. We all know he is an excellent goalkeeper.”

Amorim, meanwhile, has confirmed that Joshua Zirkzee will miss the remainder of the season with a damaged hamstring. The Dutchman was withdrawn in the defeat to Newcastle after scoring in the first-leg draw against Lyon.