Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana has been dropped for the club’s Premier League clash against Newcastle following his costly errors in the 2-2 Europa League draw with Lyon. Onana, who made two glaring mistakes that allowed Lyon to claw back into the game, did not travel with the squad to Tyneside for the crucial match. The decision to drop him was made by manager Ruben Amorim, with both the player and manager reportedly agreeing that he should be “rested” for the time being. 

Onana’s exclusion comes amid growing pressure within the Manchester United dressing room, with some teammates privately calling for his removal from the starting lineup after his recent performances. The goalkeeper’s mistakes in Lyon were not only costly on the pitch but also sparked a media storm, with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic publicly criticizing him, calling him “one of the worst goalkeepers in the club’s history.” This added further pressure on Onana, who has been under scrutiny for some time now. 

In Onana’s absence, Altay Bayindir is set to make his Premier League debut for Manchester United at St James’ Park. Bayindir, who has been recovering from a long injury layoff, has only featured in cup games this season and has yet to start in the league. However, with Onana’s omission and the timing of Bayindir’s return to full fitness, it’s now his opportunity to step up and prove his worth in the Premier League. Amorim, who is under pressure to improve Manchester United’s form, is expected to reassess his goalkeeper options during the summer transfer window, and Bayindir’s performance could be pivotal in shaping that decision.

Off the pitch, Onana has also faced personal challenges, including a recent violent robbery involving his wife in Cheshire. The traumatic incident led the family to take additional security measures, including round-the-clock protection, as they continue to deal with the aftermath of the attack. Despite these challenges, Onana’s professional career remains in the spotlight, and he will now have to work hard to regain his place in the team.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United, who will be facing Manchester United in the upcoming Premier League match, will be without their head coach, Eddie Howe. Howe was hospitalized on Friday due to illness, and the club has confirmed that he remains under observation while undergoing further tests. The absence of Howe adds another layer of uncertainty to the already unusual circumstances surrounding this fixture. Despite these challenges for both teams, the match will go ahead at St James’ Park, with both sides hoping to secure crucial points as the season progresses. 

Kick-off at St James’ Park will proceed under unusual circumstances for both sides, as Manchester United looks to bounce back from their recent struggles, while Newcastle will have to adjust to the absence of their manager during a critical point in the season. The match is expected to be closely contested as both teams aim to put recent setbacks behind them and focus on securing a much-needed victory.