Onana Left Out of Man United Squad for Newcastle Trip After Lyon Errors

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been left out of the squad for Sunday’s Premier League match against Newcastle United.

The Cameroon international made mistakes in United’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Lyon on Thursday. One day before that, former Man United midfielder Nemanja Matic had called Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history.

Sources say Onana has been left out of the team to give him time to “rest and disconnect.”

United manager Ruben Amorim explained the decision, saying:
“Sometimes you need to push a player, other times you need to let them take a break. He will be back in training tomorrow. He understood the decision even if he didn’t like it. The mental side of the game is important — it’s just one match.”

Onana is expected to return for the second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday. The club has made it clear that this is not a permanent decision.

Turkey’s Altay Bayindir is expected to replace Onana in goal at St James’ Park. It will be his first Premier League match and only his sixth appearance this season. He last played in January during a cup game.

Onana joined Manchester United in 2023 from Inter Milan for £47 million and has played in all 69 Premier League matches since then. But he has made several high-profile errors, including eight mistakes leading to goals — the most by any Premier League goalkeeper since last season.

His latest mistake came against Lyon when he failed to stop a routine shot, leading to the opening goal.

Off the pitch, Onana has also had challenges. Last month, his wife, Melanie Kamayou, was robbed outside a restaurant in Cheshire.

Despite recent struggles, Amorim defended the 29-year-old, saying he himself had made more mistakes this season.

Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will miss the match after being taken to hospital due to illness, the club announced.