Ruben Amorim explains reasoning behind dropping Andre Onana for Newcastle game after Man Utd goalkeeper's nightmare performance against Lyon

Onana was absent from the squad for the Red Devils' trip to St James' Park after he was at fault for both of Lyon's goals in Thursday's 2-2 draw in the Europa League quarter-final first leg. It is the first league game Onana has missed since joining United in 2023. He was replaced by Altay Bayindir, who was handed his Premier League debut.

"You have to see the context," Amorim told Sky Sports. "Sometimes you have to push the player to play again, sometimes you have to let him disconnect a little bit. Tomorrow he will be in training to prepare for [Lyon] so I felt that it was a good time for Andre to disconnect. I think he was ok because I explained. You don't need to like it but you understand because I explain everything. You have to manage everything. Sometimes people just look at the physical aspect but the mental aspect is really important. It's just one game and tomorrow is a new life."

Amorim made five changes to his starting line-up from the 0-0 draw with Manchester City. As well as giving a first Premier League appearance to Bayindir, the coach gave 18-year-old Harry Amass his full debut.

Former Man United captain Roy Keane said he expected Onana to return to the line-up for the second leg against Lyon on Thursday. "He is obviously under pressure, and of course, football is about making mistakes, but of course, if you're a goalkeeper and you make a mistake and it leads to a goal, then obviously, you're going to be criticised," Keane told Sky Sports. "It'll be interesting if he is left out today because I think it's also difficult for another goalkeeper to come in to get up to speed so quickly. Maybe he'll just leave him out for the weekend and almost recharge the batteries for the game coming up on Thursday, you know, we'll see. But that's the manager's job is to make big decisions."