Amorim Confirms Onana Will Return in Goal Against Lyon; Zirkzee Out for the Season

Manchester, April 16 (NationPress) The head coach of Manchester United has announced that Andrey Onana will be back in goal for the upcoming match against Lyon, following his exclusion during the team’s 1-4 defeat to Newcastle United. Unfortunately, striker Joshua Zirkzee has been confirmed out for the remainder of the season due to a suspected hamstring injury sustained against the Toons.

Onana has faced considerable backlash, particularly after former United star and current Lyon player Nemanja Matic referred to him as the ‘worst goalkeeper in modern Manchester United history.’ His performance in the first leg, which included two significant errors leading to Lyon goals in a 2-2 draw, has not helped his reputation.

In Onana's absence, Altay Bayindir was put in goal but struggled against Newcastle’s offense as well.

“Joshua [Zirkzee] is out for the season. He will not be returning this year, so we must focus on preparing him for the next season. It’s a tough situation for him, especially now. He has been progressing in all areas, and it is difficult for any athlete to halt their momentum,” Amorim stated during the pre-match press briefing.

When asked about the starting goalkeeper, Amorim confirmed, “Onana will play tomorrow.”

The Portuguese manager explained his decision to bench Onana previously, emphasizing the importance of both physical and mental management of players. “As a coach and former player, my goal is to support a player in challenging situations. There was a weekend where I believed it was better for Andrey Onana to sit out and for Altay [Bayindir] to take the field,” he elaborated.

Teammate Harry Maguire, who joined Amorim for the media session, expressed confidence in Onana’s abilities, stating that the defense thrives with him in goal and affirmed that he is capable of returning to peak performance.

“First and foremost, Andrey has shown in his career that he is a top-notch goalkeeper. He has secured numerous championships and participated in Champions League finals. Throughout a career, players experience highs and lows, but it’s crucial to regain confidence,” Maguire remarked.

“Currently, it may feel like everything is against him. But he will take it game by game. He’ll be ready tomorrow night, and he possesses a strong personality and character, eager to showcase his skills again.”

“Having Andrey behind us is fantastic. I trust him completely; he has had an outstanding career and brings invaluable experience. We all recognize he is an exceptional goalkeeper.”