Manchester United will recall Andre Onana to their starting lineup for tonight’s crunch Europa League quarter-final decider against Lyon.
The Red Devils’ first-choice goalkeeper was replaced by deputy Altay Bayindir for Sunday's dismal 4-1 Premier League defeat at Newcastle, having been given time off to “disconnect” after making two high-profile errors that led to goals in the first leg in France last week.
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However, Onana trained on Wednesday and is set to start this evening’s huge tie at Old Trafford, which is all to play for at 2-2.
“Onana will play tomorrow,” United boss Ruben Amorim said at his pre-match press conference. “I just think first of all as a coach, and also as a former player, I try to do things that can help a player in this situation.
“So sometimes we talk about managing players physically, we have to manage them also mentally. But then, they have to return to competition and Onana is ready.
“He had one weekend that I felt it was better for him to not play, and a good thing for Altay, and this week, my thinking was to put Onana to play.”
Onana’s recall will allow Amorim to name the same defensive unit that started the first leg as Harry Maguire - who was selected for pre-match media duties - is set to return too after an unused substitute role at St James’ Park.
In midfield, Casemiro is likely to resume his partnership with Manuel Ugarte as captain Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho start in the advanced roles behind the main striker.
Joshua Zirkzee has been ruled out for the rest of the season, leaving Amorim with a decision to make as to who leads the line at Old Trafford.
Mason Mount is a wildcard option as a false nine, but Rasmus Hojlund will surely get the nod despite his recent struggles. The Denmark international has scored five goals in the Europa League this season, but none since the turn of the year.
Veteran centre-back Jonny Evans is back in training after a long lay-off but will not be named in the matchday squad.
This means Amorim is short of options at centre-back as youngster Ayden Heaven has suffered a setback to join Amad Diallo, Zirkzee, Toby Collyer, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt on the absentee list.
Confirmed team news
Manchester United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Fernandes; Hojlund
Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Lindelof, Kukonki, Shaw, Kamason, Eriksen, Mainoo, Mount, Moorhouse
Lyon XI: Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Tolisso, Akouokou, Veretout; Cherki, Mikautadze, Almada
Subs: Descamps, Diarra, Lacazette, Fofana, Tessmann, Abner Vinicius, Kumbedi, Omari, Matic, Caleta-Car
Injured: Martinez, Maguire, Zirkzee, Collyer, Amad, Heaven, De Ligt, Evans
Time and date: 8pm BST on Thursday April 17, 2025
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
How to watch: TNT Sports 1
