All eyes will be on Andre Onana this Thursday as Manchester United prepare for a season-defining Europa League clash against Lyon at Old Trafford. For the Cameroonian goalkeeper, it could be the night that seals his fate at the club — for better or worse.
After boldly claiming that United were “way better” than Lyon ahead of the quarter-final first leg in France, Onana was met with swift backlash. Former United midfielder Nemanja Matic, now with Lyon, didn’t hold back — calling him “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history.”
Unfortunately for Onana, his performance didn’t help his case. He was directly at fault for both goals in the 2-2 draw, with Lyon fans jeering him throughout.
In the fallout, United boss Ruben Amorim benched Onana for Sunday’s match against Newcastle, opting for backup Altay Bayindir. That gamble didn’t pay off either, as United were hammered 4-1, with Bayindir making a costly error.
Now, Amorim faces a massive decision: restore Onana for Thursday’s do-or-die match, or stick with Bayindir despite the risk?
The stakes couldn’t be higher. A loss to Lyon would effectively end United’s season — their Premier League campaign is already in shambles, sitting a dismal 14th with just six games left. A win, however, keeps their Europa League hopes — and a potential Champions League ticket — alive.
Onana arrived at Old Trafford in 2023 for £47 million as Erik ten Hag’s handpicked successor to David de Gea. Known for his ball-playing abilities, Onana has shown moments of brilliance but has struggled with consistency.
Stats don’t help his case: no Premier League goalkeeper has made more errors leading to goals across all competitions since the start of last season. But it’s not all bad news — Onana ranks second in goals prevented this season, just behind Everton’s Jordan Pickford, according to Opta’s expected goals model.
Amorim has defended his under-fire keeper, citing the mental strain of the game. “Sometimes you need to let a player disconnect,” he said. “This was about helping Andre recover mentally.”
Still, Thursday’s match may be Onana’s last chance to prove he’s the man for the job.
With Manchester United at risk of their worst league finish in 50 years, the Europa League could be the only lifeline left — not just for the club, but for Onana’s future at Old Trafford.
