Andre Onana under pressure as Manchester United face Europa League test

Onana’s Manchester United future hangs in the balance as Amorim faces crucial goalkeeper decision for Lyon clash.

Andre Onana of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League match against Lyon at Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France, on April 10, 2025. Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Andre Onana under pressure — those four words now define the uncertain reality for Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper as the club heads into a critical Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon on Thursday. The Cameroon international's position is no longer secure after a string of costly mistakes, and with United’s season hanging by a thread, manager Ruben Amorim faces a defining choice between redemption or rotation.

A bold statement backfires

Before the first leg in France, Onana raised eyebrows — and temperatures — by declaring that Manchester United were “way better” than Lyon. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, but the real drama unfolded off the pitch and in the aftermath of Onana’s remarks. Nemanja Matic, a former United player now wearing Lyon colors, did not take kindly to the claim. In a stinging response, he called Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history.”

Onana’s night in Lyon went from bad to worse. He was at fault for both of Lyon’s goals, and the crowd let him know it, jeering every touch he made. What was supposed to be a confident show of leadership instead turned into a personal disaster that may have lasting consequences.

Amorim’s dilemma after Newcastle loss

Amorim’s response to the Lyon debacle was swift. Onana was dropped from the starting eleven for the Premier League match at Newcastle, replaced by Turkish backup Altay Bayindir. However, the decision did not yield the intended effect. United were thrashed 4-1, and Bayindir himself was culpable for the fourth goal, adding another layer of uncertainty to the goalkeeping situation.

As Amorim prepares for Thursday’s all-important home leg, he is faced with a decision that could shape the remainder of United’s season — and possibly his tenure at the club. Does he trust Onana to bounce back and reclaim his position, or does he roll the dice again with Bayindir?

Stakes higher than ever

A loss against Lyon would knock Manchester United out of the Europa League, ending their last realistic chance of silverware this season. Worse, it would eliminate the club’s most plausible route to qualifying for the Champions League — a financial and reputational lifeline the club desperately needs.

In the Premier League, United languish embarrassingly in 14th place. With only six matches remaining, a slide further down the table is still possible. In the worst-case scenario, the club could finish as low as 17th — just above the relegation zone. It would be their lowest final standing since being relegated in the 1973/74 season.

This adds enormous pressure to Thursday’s game, and by extension, to Onana himself.

The inconsistent No.1

When Manchester United signed Andre Onana for around £47 million from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023, Erik ten Hag, then manager, spoke glowingly about the keeper’s abilities. Having worked with him previously at Ajax, Ten Hag believed Onana’s ball-playing skills and confidence would modernize United’s play from the back.

And for brief moments, Onana lived up to the billing. His reflex saves and distribution drew praise, showing glimpses of the top-level potential that earned him the move. But those moments were scattered between glaring errors and poor positioning.

According to Opta data from before the latest round of matches, Onana had made more mistakes leading directly to goals in all competitions than any other Premier League goalkeeper since the start of last season — eight in total. That statistic looms large now, especially when former United keeper David de Gea, released on a free transfer, is performing well for Fiorentina in Italy.

A complex picture

Onana under pressure doesn’t tell the whole story. There are metrics that still support his value. Opta’s expected goals model — a tool that estimates the likelihood of a goal based on shot quality — suggests Onana has actually “prevented” 7.5 goals this season. Only Everton’s Jordan Pickford had better numbers at 8.7.

So while Onana has been error-prone, he has also pulled off key saves that many of his peers have not. Amorim acknowledged this duality after the Lyon match, defending the keeper while also emphasizing the need to give him space to reset mentally.

"Sometimes you have to push the player to play again, sometimes you have to let them disconnect a little bit," Amorim said. "I felt it was a good time for Andre to disconnect."

Amorim emphasized the importance of mental recovery for goalkeepers — a position where confidence is as crucial as skill. Onana was seen training again this week and could be reintroduced into the lineup for Thursday.

What the future holds

Whether Onana is selected or not, the outcome of Thursday’s clash will have far-reaching implications. A strong performance and a United victory could redeem him in the eyes of fans and the media. A poor showing, or worse, a costly error leading to elimination, could seal his fate.

More broadly, United's overall goalkeeping situation needs clarity. If Amorim is to lead the club into a new era, as many expect, the question of who guards the net must be resolved early. Is Onana the long-term solution, or has the gamble failed?

At 29, Onana is entering what should be the prime years of his career. But in football, reputations can unravel quickly — especially at a club with United’s global profile and demanding fan base.

The bigger picture

This season has been one of turmoil for Manchester United. They began with hopes of challenging for top honors but now find themselves fighting for dignity. Injuries, tactical confusion, and high-profile errors — especially from Onana — have left the squad exposed.

Yet, football offers redemption, and Thursday’s match is a perfect stage for it. Win, and the mood changes. Lose, and the fallout could be dramatic.

For Onana, the match against Lyon may be less about statistics and more about character. A chance to show resilience, to silence critics, and to prove that his bold words were not misplaced, only premature.

Whatever happens, one thing is certain — Andre Onana under pressure has become one of the most compelling storylines of Manchester United’s season. Whether it ends in triumph or collapse will soon be revealed at Old Trafford.