Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim has explained his reason for dropping embattled goalkeeper Andre Onana before United’s 3-1 loss to Newcastle on Sunday.
Amorim dropped Onana ahead of the Premier League clash with the Magpies after the Cameroonian made two horrific errors that ultimately saw Lyon claim a draw against United in the first leg of the sides’ Europa League quarter-final tie.
It has raised questions about the former Ajax and Inter Milan goalkeeper’s future in the team and whether backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir should play between the sticks going forward.
However, Amorim has clarified that he is not completely dropping Onana and only wanted to give him a chance to have a reset, before coming back in for the return leg against Lyon.
“Of course, you have to see the context,” said Amorim. “It is a normal thing. Sometimes, you have to push the player to play again, sometimes you have to let him disconnect a little bit.
“Tomorrow, he will be in training to prepare for the next one [against Lyon] so I felt that it was a good time for Andre to disconnect.
Speaking on Onana’s feelings about the decision, the United boss waved away any ideas that it could unsettle the Cameroonian.
“I think he was okay [about it] because I explained, and then, you don’t need to like [it], but you understand because I explain every situation.
“It’s a normal situation. You have to manage everything, sometimes people just look at the physical aspect but the mental aspect is really, really important.
“It’s for just one game and we give Altay an opportunity, he deserves it also. And then, again, tomorrow is a new life and we will prepare for the next one.”
United play Lyon on Thursday at Old Trafford. A positive result would leave them three games away from securing a Champions League spot for next season, despite the increasing likelihood of finishing only three places above the relegation zone in what is the club’s worst season so far in their Premier League history.
