Manchester United manager Amorim defends underfire keeper Andre Onana

Andre Onana: Photo Credit: Manchester United.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has leaped to goalkeeper Andre Onana’s defence after his latest show of howlers in a two-all draw against Lyon in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final, first-leg in France on Thursday.

Onana did not cover himself in glory as he messed up shots that led to both goals, a result Amorin admitted left the dressing room quiet at the end of the game heading into the UEFA Europa League second leg at Old Trafford.

“I don't know, that can happen. The best thing is to look at the goals and the actions that Andre has had in the game and talk with [goalkeeper coaches Jorge] Vital and Craig [Mawson]. This is the best way to help any player—to focus on the game, what happened, what we need to improve, and then put the player [in] again,” he told United’s website.

The Portuguese manager said he would deal with the Cameroonian’s issue alongside the goalkeeper coach in training and then decide who would play in the next game.

“We have training, go with Vital and we deal with that. So, it's natural that this can happen with any player. There's nothing I can say to Andre at this moment that will help him. So, the most important thing is to be natural. And then when the time comes, I will choose the best 11 to play. But I'm really confident in Andre,” he said.

United seemed to be heading for a win but Lyon’s Rayan Cherki pounced on a rebound to score in the 95th minute, after Onana had failed to deal with Georges Mikautadze’s shot.

Onana should have also handled the ball better with Thiago Almada’s opener which piled pressure on United before Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee scored for the visitors.

The Cameroonian received boos when he walked onto the pitch amid a verbal tirade with ex-Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matić who called the keeper the worst statistically in the club’s history.