Ruben Amorim confirms Andre Onana will start for Man United against Olympique Lyonnais – Man United News And Transfer News
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Ruben Amorim says Andre Onana will be the starting goalkeeper against Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League quarter final second leg tomorrow.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game, the boss also confirmed that Joshua Zirkzee is out for the season but Jonny Evans, Ayden Heaven and Matthijs de Ligt will return soon.
“Onana will play tomorrow,” he said.
“I think as a former coach and a player, I try to do things that can help a player in this situation. We talk about managing players physically, but we also have to manage them mentally. This week, my thinking was to put Onana to play.
“Matthijs will return [before the end of the season].
“Ayden has a small setback. Jonny Evans is back in training but he is not back for this game. Amad, he is not ready for this month. But I hope to have him for this season.”
On the importance of winning the competition for the club, Amorim replied:
“I think it is about the budget when planning for next season. The Champions League can change everything. If you are in the Champions League, you play top teams on a Wednesday and at the weekend. This is the best thing. But we need to have the best team. That is important when we make a plan for next season.”
The subject returned to Onana, and he was asked whether dropping the keeper against Newcastle might have undermined his confidence. He said:
“I am trying to be clear on things and make the valuation. Andre is ready to return and to start this game.”
He was then asked if he will be looking to upgrade the goalkeeping position in the summer, he replied:
“We need to improve every position on the field; goalkeeper is the same. If our team scores more goals and our strikers are better, we will defend better. Sometimes you have a season where you are underperforming. We are going to make that evaluation for any position in the squad.”
More to follow …
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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