Ruben Amorim explains Manchester United goalkeeper decision for crunch Lyon clash

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·14. April 2025

Ruben Amorim explains Manchester United goalkeeper decision for crunch Lyon clash

Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir? The big call facing Amorim ahead of Europa League decider

Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir? It is the big decision facing Ruben Amorim ahead of Manchester United’s crunch Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday.

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Amorim took Onana out of the firming line at Newcastle on Sunday after his two costly errors in the 2-2 draw in the first leg in France last week.

Those latest mistakes came a day after he had been called “one of the worst goalkeepers” in United history by Nemanja Matic.

His replacement Bayindir conceded four goals on his Premier League debut in a chastening 4-1 defeat at St James’ Park. He was to blame for Newcastle’s fourth goal after a poor pass.

Onana was dropped for Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle after his latest two errors against Lyon

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Amorim must now decide whether to recall Onana or stick with Bayindir.

Whether Onana was rested or dropped at Newcastle, leaving him out of the squad was a brave call from the United boss.

So has Amorim’s patience with the Cameroon international run out? And does he trust Bayindir with United’s season on the line on Thursday?

Asked who will start in goal against Lyon, Amorim said: “We are going to prepare to choose the best XI that we think can win.

“I left him [Onana] at home [today] because any situation of the game, the cameras would be on him and he was not playing, he [would be] on the bench but feeling the pressure, feeling the moment.

“So, for me, it was one thing or another - you play or you stay at home. It was my choice.”