Manchester United’s new head coach, Ruben Amorim, took to the media for the first time. He made the comments before Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg with Lyon at Parc Olympique Lyonnais. His statement centered on the importance of managing player fitness, particularly for young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, and supporting goalkeeper Andre Onana amid criticism.
Here, Amorim assures that Andre Onana will start in goal against Lyon, coming to the recently maligned keeper’s defense after the fact. He stated his belief in Onana’s abilities, emphasizing the context of his quotes regarding Lyon’s strength. If you go back and read Onana’s full quote, it’s a different story. That was the number one thing, is like Lyon is a really, really really good team,’” Amorim said.
Mainoo’s Recovery and Potential Impact
Kobbie Mainoo’s recent return could be key for Manchester United as they look to play their way into the final stretch of the season. The impressive teenager hasn’t featured since February 7, when he scored in a FA Cup win against Leicester City. Ever since, he’s been out for ten games with a muscular injury. He wasn’t training with the team, despite being in Lyon ahead of the UCL clash.
Amorim expressed optimism regarding Mainoo’s development, stating, “We are really happy to have more options and an option like Kobbie, with the quality that he has — he has played as a (number) six, as an eight and as a 10 — we are really pleased to have Kobbie but we have to be careful. We need Kobbie fit and fresh.”
Even with the upbeat enthusiasm about Mainoo’s time with the club and possible future contribution, Amorim shared the need to take care in integrating him back. The team is sitting in 13th place in the Premier League. With just seven matches remaining, time is running out for them to start returning to form.
Lyon’s Challenge and Team Dynamics
Amorim was quick to mention the huge challenge that Lyon would represent too. Calling them a “very, very good team,” he reiterated the frustration that Manchester United need to be ready to go to have a chance to compete. Playoff opponent Belgium In the tactical defensive setup, Onana definitively states, “we’re much better than them.” Former United player Nemanja Matic has hit back at this accusation.
Matic, who spent five seasons at Manchester United, went a step further with his scathing assessment. He labelled Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history. Amorim responded to this controversy by suggesting that misunderstandings can arise from incomplete quotes: “Sometimes the players don’t listen to the full quotes and it is just a misunderstanding.”
Centre-back Matthijs de Ligt will miss the match due to a foot injury. This limitation would bring even more concern to United’s defensive unit as Amorim prepares his team for what should be another heavyweight clash.
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