Manchester United are away at the St. James’ Park today (April 13) to play Newcastle United in the Premier League.
As the team list has been announced, Andre Onana has been left out from the entire squad.
His absence stems from a mix of on-field struggles and off-field challenges, prompting the club to offer him a short break.
Why is Andre Onana not Playing Today?
Onana’s performance has been under the scanner after his costly errors in the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon. He fumbled a straightforward free-kick and later parried a shot directly into the path of an opponent, leading to a late equaliser. These mistakes not only affected the match outcome but also further amplified doubts over his reliability in goal during crucial moments.
Personal Setbacks Off the Field
Off the pitch, Onana has endured a challenging period. His family recently suffered a traumatic experience when his wife was reportedly targeted in a violent robbery at their home. The emotional toll of this incident has understandably weighed on the Cameroonian goalkeeper. Additionally, Onana has been caught up in a war of words with a former teammate following some critical comments, further compounding his mental burden.
Is Onana Dropped? Ruben Amorim gives Verdict
Man United coach Ruben Amorim told the goalkeeper to take his mind off from football for a few days. After a difficult couple of days, the Red Devils believe their top custodian will return with rejuvenated form.
“Sometimes, you have to push the player to play again; sometimes, you have to let him disconnect a little bit. Tomorrow, Andre will be in training to prepare for the next one, so I felt that it was a good time for Andre to disconnect,” Ruben Amorim said ahead of the Newcastle clash.
In light of these circumstances, Manchester United’s coaching staff opted to rest Onana for the Newcastle fixture. The decision was described as a chance for the goalkeeper to recharge and regain focus. He has not been dropped, rather it’s just a time-off.
Onana Likely Return for Crucial Europa Tie
Despite being benched today, Onana is expected to return to the starting XI for the upcoming Europa League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford. The club remains hopeful that this short break will help the goalkeeper bounce back stronger for what could be a pivotal phase in their season.
In place of Onana, young goalkeeper Altay Bayindir has started for the Red Devils against Newcastle United today.