Andre Onana has been left out of Manchester United’s matchday squad for the Premier League clash against Newcastle United.
Ruben Amorim’s decision to leave Onana at home while the Red Devils travel to St James’ Park on Sunday comes after the goalkeeper’s poor performance against Lyon in midweek.
Onana made two bad mistakes which cost Manchester United victory in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against the French side.
With Onana out of the United squad for the time being, Altay Bayindir is set to start in goal for Amorim’s side.
It is unclear whether Onana has been dropped or rested but a source close to the player believes it is the latter, telling ESPN the decision has been taken to allow him to ‘rest and disconnect’.
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The source also claims Onana has been assured that he has not been permanently replaced as Amorim’s No. 1 goalkeeper and could return for the second leg against Lyon.
Onana was in the headlines even before his error-strewn display in the 2-2 draw with Lyon following a surprising war of words with ex-Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic.
Responding to Onana’s claim that United were ‘way better’ than their Europa League quarter-final opponents, Matic – now at Lyon – said: ‘You know, I respect everyone but to say that then you need to give the answer.
‘If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history, you need to take care what you’re talking about.
‘If it was [Edwin] Van der Sar, [Peter] Schmeichel or [David] De Gea saying that, then I would question myself. But you need to have cover to say something like that.’
Onana soon took to social media to deny he was being ‘disrespectful’ while taking a swipe at the fact Matic never won a trophy during his time at Old Trafford.
‘I would never be disrespectful to another club,’ he wrote. ‘We know that tomorrow will be a difficult game against a strong opponent.
‘We focus on preparing a performance to make our fans proud. At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same.’
Onana made himself look ‘silly’ in the actual match as he made two blunders that led to Lyon goals.
‘He was in the headlines before the game and now he is going to be all over the headlines again,’ former England winger Aaron Lennon said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘You’re fuming [if you’re Onana’s team-mate]. They’re two massive mistakes. He has got to save both of them in my opinion and he has cost United today.’
Ex-Lyon and England midfielder Izzy Christiansen added: ‘I think he looks a bit silly tonight and Matic is probably the one who is going to sleep well.’
Amorim was of course asked about Onana’s performance in his post-match interview and suggested the Cameroonian would start against Newcastle.
‘[It is] important to focus on the next game for the league and then think about the second leg against Lyon,’ he said.
‘When one player has a mistake, all the team has a mistake so we continue like that.
‘We continue to do the same thing. Training, seeing the games, trying to choose the best eleven to win every match.’
Manchester United have little to play for in the Premier League, currently sitting 13th in the table with seven games remaining.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, have aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League, sitting seventh with eight games still to play.
Assistant managers Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones will lead Newcastle against the Red Devils after Eddie Howe was hospitalised ahead of the game.
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