Man Utd's Onana to start against Lyon - Amorim

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana will be recalled for the side's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon, manager Ruben Amorim has said.

The Cameroon international was left out of United's squad for the 4-1 defeat by Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday, with Turkey international Altay Bayindir deputising.

The 29-year-old was labelled "one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history" by former player Nemanja Matic before the first leg as the Lyon midfielder reacted furiously to the stopper saying the Premier League team were "way better" than the French club.

Onana was then to blame for the two goals that United conceded in their 2-2 draw in France.

But Amorim says the former Inter Milan goalkeeper will be recalled for the tie at Old Trafford on Thursday (20:00 BST).

"As a coach and former player first of all I try to do things that can help a player in this situation," said Amorim.

"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 Andre Onana not to play and a good thing for Altay [Bayindir] to play.

"He (Onana) will play tomorrow."

Andre Onana joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in 2023

Bayindir, making his Premier League debut against Newcastle, gave away possession for the Magpies' fourth goal.

Amorim says Onana, a £44m signing in 2023, "deserves" to return to the starting XI.

"When I made that decision I talked with Andre and that is important for me to explain to the player to understand what I am thinking," added Amorim.

"Sometimes the player is saying one thing and I understand it's a different thing, sometimes it is my feeling as a coach that can make my decision more than what they are saying to me. They want to show they are really confident and I can feel the other way. So I have the conversation but it is my decision in the end."

Amorim was joined at his press conference by defender Harry Maguire, who backed Onana to recover his form.

"Andre has proven in the past that he is an excellent goalkeeper," said Maguire.

"In a career you always have spells when you go up and down - it is about how you build yourself up. You have times when you feel everything is going against you.

"He is a big personality and big character and will want to show everyone what he is all about. Playing in front of Andre is great."

Zirzkee out for the rest of the season

United's season rests on winning the Europa League in order to qualify for next season's Champions League.

The Red Devils will be without Joshua Zirzkee for the remainder of the season after the Dutchman sustained a hamstring injury against Newcastle.

Joshua is out for the season so he is not going to play more," Amorim confirmed.

"Let's prepare him for the next one. It is tough, especially in the moment. He has to be ready now to recover."

Netherlands international Matthijs de Ligt was once again missing from training, while defender Ayden Heaven has suffered a "small setback" after returning to the squad for the defeat by Newcastle.

Defender Jonny Evans and goalkeeper Tom Heaton, both long-term absentees, returned to training on Wednesday.

Only one logical choice over Onana - analysis

Simon Stone, Chief football news reporter

Really, there was only one logical choice for Amorim to make around his goalkeeper.

Even those close to Bayindir accept he did not do enough at Newcastle, having just recovered from injury and playing behind a much-changed defence and in a team lacking in confidence, to justify keeping his place for such an important game.

The problem for Amorim is that he cannot know whether he will get a good performance from Onana, a bad one, or something in between.

Sir Alex Ferguson used to talk about Denis Irwin being a seven-out-of-ten player. He meant Irwin was someone he can rely on. That is what Amorim needs right now.

Maguire said Onana needs to ignore all the noise, "focus on your job, come in on a daily basis and do your best".

Amorim, Onana and United must hope it is enough.