Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has confirmed that André Onana will return to the starting lineup for Thursday night’s crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford. The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny over the Cameroonian goalkeeper’s future at the club and speculation that Amorim could be eyeing a new number one this summer.

Onana, who joined United from Inter Milan in 2023 for £43.7 million, was notably dropped from the squad that suffered a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United last weekend. Amorim explained that the decision was made to give the 28-year-old a mental and physical reset following a string of underwhelming performances  including key errors in the first leg against Lyon that contributed to a 2-2 draw in France.

“We speak about managing players physically but we also have to manage them mentally,” Amorim said. “We had one weekend where I felt it was better for André Onana not to play and a good thing for Altay [Bayindir] to play. He [Onana] will play tomorrow.”

While Amorim publicly backed his goalkeeper, reports from England suggest that Manchester United are actively considering alternatives for the role. Onana leads the Premier League in goalkeeping errors this season, and the club’s recruitment department is believed to be drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements. Names linked to the position include Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale, Parma’s Zion Suzuki, and Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen.

United’s goalkeeping conundrum is just one of many issues facing Amorim as the club battles to salvage what has been a tumultuous season. Currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, winning the Europa League has become their only realistic route to securing Champions League football next season.

That task has been made even more difficult with the news that striker Joshua Zirkzee will miss the remainder of the campaign due to a hamstring injury. The Dutch forward sustained the injury during the Newcastle defeat, leaving Rasmus Højlund as United’s only fit senior striker ahead of Thursday’s match.

The second leg against Lyon carries immense significance. Not only could it restore some measure of pride and purpose to United’s season, but it may also prove pivotal for several players' futures none more so than Onana, who will have a chance to reassert his value on a night when United cannot afford more mistakes.

As the spotlight intensifies, Rúben Amorim will be hoping that Onana can rise to the occasion and that the team as a whole can deliver a performance worthy of their European ambitions.