Update: Manchester United make decision on Andre Onana and give major Joshua Zirkzee update News

Andre Onana came out of the Man United side against Newcastle but Altay Bayindir conceded four goals at St James’ Park.

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed Andre Onana will start in their Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon but Joshua Zirkzee is out for the rest of the season.

Onana was culpable for both of Lyon’s goals in the 2-2 first leg draw last week, having billed United as “way better” than the French club days before the tie. Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic responded by branding Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers in the history of Manchester United”.

Amorim rested Onana for the 4-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday and back-up goalie Altay Bayindir was at fault for the hosts’ fourth goal.

Onana was told before the Newcastle match he was due to be recalled against Lyon this week. Goalkeeping coaches Jorge Vital and Craig Mawson were consulted by Amorim but he stressed he made the final decision.

“I just think first of all as a coach and also as a former player, I try to do things that can help a player in this situation,” Amorim explained. “So sometimes we talk about managing players physically, we have to manage them also mentally but they have to return to competition.

“Onana is ready. He had one weekend that I felt it was better for him to not play and a good thing for Altay to play and this week my thinking was to put Onana to play.

“Of course, the staff is not just to be there, of course I have conversations and then I have my feeling as a coach, as a former player, I try to imagine the game. Because they are defending at home but have different characteristics, so I make the evaluation the same way I make for the other players. The other players, the way we want to play is more with me. Of course, Craig and Vital have a huge impact on my decision.

“I have the conversation but it is my decision in the end. I have that feeling, if not, I think about the team. Andre deserves to return to competition. I’m just thinking about the game, is really important for us.”

Amorim acknowledged Onana could be under greater pressure, having come out of the team at the weekend. “That is not just the dilemma, this is the big factor on being a coach: everything you do has two ways.

“If he is going to be really good tomorrow – I am sure of that – but if it is the other way, people will say it is a bad decision. We never know.

“I am trying to be clear on things, try to make the evaluation, be really simple, not overthinking. When I imagine the game, I see Andre Onana, he had one weekend of rest, now he is ready to return to competition and I chose Andre to start this game.

“When I made that decision, I talked before with Andre and that is important for me to explain to the player to understand what I am thinking.

“Sometimes the player is saying one thing and I understand it’s a different thing, sometimes it is my feeling as a coach that can make my decision more than what they are saying to me. They want to show they are really confident and I can feel the other way. So I have the conversation but it is my decision in the end.”

Zirkzee started at Newcastle but was substituted in the 55th minute after he suffered an apparent hamstring strain. Rasmus Hojlund is United’s only senior striker and is set to come back into the starting XI against Lyon.

“Joshua is out for the season, so he’s not going to play any more this season,” Amorim added. “Let’s prepare him for the next one. It’s tough, especially in this moment, he’s improving in all aspects of the game. It’s hard for a player to stop his football but now he has to be ready now to recover.”

Amorim revealed that he does not expect Amad to play in any of United’s games in April and he is planning for him to be available in May. Amad suffered an ankle injury two months ago and was continuing his rehabilitation on a separate pitch during United’s open training session on Wednesday morning.

Matthijs de Ligt is still out with a foot injury but scheduled to play again this season. Jonny Evans is back in training but will not be considered for selection against Lyon.