Ruben Amorim refused to single out Andre Onana for criticism after the Manchester United goalkeeper made two costly errors in their 2-2 draw with Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
Onana was placed firmly in the spotlight ahead of the last-eight clash at Groupama Stadium when Lyon’s former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic labelled him as one of the worst goalkeepers in the history of the club.
The Cameroon international hit back on social media, but the scrutiny on Onana will now be greatly increased after he essentially cost United a first-leg triumph.
Onana inexplicably allowed Thiago Almada’s 25th-minute free-kick to sneak under his glove to give Lyon the lead and, after Lenny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee had turned things around for United, spilled a seemingly tame Almada effort into the path of Rayan Cherki to tap in a 95th-minute equaliser.
He has now made nine errors leading to goals this season, but Amorim insisted Onana was not the only player at fault as he predictably faced questions about his goalkeeper after the game.
Amorim told TNT Sports: “We are really disappointed [to concede late]. We should have taken a one goal advantage to the next game but we have the next game at home – we will try to win that game.
“[It is] important to focus on the next game for the league and then think about the second leg against Lyon. When one player has a mistake, all the team has a mistake so we continue like that.”
Asked if he still has faith in Onana, Amorim replied: “No we continue to do the same thing. Training, seeing the games, trying to choose the best XI to win every match.”
United visit Champions League-chasing Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday before next Thursday’s return leg, with the Europa League the only route for the Red Devils to secure qualification for Europe’s top club competition next season.
