Manchester United dropped André Onana for their Premier League match at Newcastle after his two errors against Lyon.
Altay Bayındır replaced him for his league debut, ending Onana’s run of playing every Premier League minute since joining United in 2023.
Amorim gives Onana time away
Ruben Amorim said the goalkeeper needed a brief mental break after a difficult week.
“Sometimes you have to push the player to play again, and sometimes you have to let him disconnect a little bit,” Amorim told Sky Sports.
Onana did not travel to Tyneside but was expected back in training the following day to prepare for the Europa League return leg against Lyon.
Two errors cost United in Lyon
Thiago Almada’s free-kick beat Onana early in the first leg. The goalkeeper then pushed Georges Mikautadze’s late shot directly to Rayan Cherki, who scored in stoppage time to make it 2-2.
The performance followed a public exchange with former United midfielder Nemanja Matić. Onana had said United were “way better” than Lyon, prompting Matić to describe him as one of the club’s worst modern goalkeepers.
Onana responded by pointing to the trophies he had won with United.
Bayındır gets his league opportunity
Bayındır had made six cup appearances that season and played a decisive role in United’s FA Cup shootout victory over Arsenal.
The Turkey international started at Newcastle, with Tom Heaton named among the substitutes.
Amorim stressed that Onana’s omission was for one match and said he remained confident in the goalkeeper.
