André Onana’s Absence from Manchester United’s Lineup: A Closer Look
In a surprising turn of events, André Onana has been left out of Manchester United‘s squad for their upcoming Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Sunday. This decision comes on the heels of significant criticism following his performance against Lyon. According to a source who spoke with ESPN, Onana did not travel with Ruben Amorim’s squad to Tyneside on Saturday. Instead, the No. 2 goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, is set to take his place at St. James’ Park.
The decision to rest Onana, as explained by a source close to the player, is intended to allow the 29-year-old to “rest and disconnect.” Despite this temporary exclusion, Onana has been reassured that he remains Amorim’s first-choice goalkeeper. He could potentially return to the lineup for the Europa League quarterfinal second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday. The tie is currently balanced after a 2-2 draw in France.
It’s been a challenging week for Onana, who first found himself in a verbal spat with former United player Nemanja Matic. The situation escalated when Onana made two critical errors in the game against Lyon, costing United a victory. Matic did not hold back, labeling Onana as “one of the worst goalkeeper’s in United’s history” in a scathing critique, which was a response to Onana’s claim that United are “way better” than Lyon.
Onana, not one to shy away, responded on social media, pointing out that “some can’t say” they have won trophies at Old Trafford, a clear jab at Matic’s five trophy-less years at the club from 2017 to 2022. Off the field, Onana has also been dealing with personal issues, as his wife was the victim of a street robbery in Cheshire in March. A man has since been charged in connection with the incident.
Despite the recent mistakes against Lyon, including one in stoppage time, Amorim has publicly backed Onana, expressing that he remains “really confident” in the former Ajax star. However, the decision to give Onana a break and allow Bayindir to make his Premier League debut, more than 18 months after his arrival from Fenerbahce in 2023, suggests a strategic move to protect the player from further scrutiny.
- Onana’s absence is a temporary measure to help him “rest and disconnect.”
- He remains the first-choice goalkeeper and could return for the Europa League match against Lyon.
- Onana has faced criticism from former player Nemanja Matic and has been dealing with personal issues off the field.
- Altay Bayindir will make his Premier League debut in Onana’s place.
As the situation unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Onana responds to this period of rest and whether he can reclaim his spot as Manchester United’s top goalkeeper. The upcoming matches will be crucial for both Onana and the team as they navigate the challenges of the season.
Originally Written by: Rob Dawson
