Ruben Amorim says Andre Onana's omission from Manchester United's squad to face Arsenal is down to the team's "balance" rather than injury.
Onana left out of Man Utd squadAmorim rubbishes injury reportsSelection call down to team "balance"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Goalkeeper Onana and striker Rasmus Hojlund did not even make the bench for United's Premier League opener against Arsenal on Sunday. After reports emerged that the Cameroon international was still recovering from a hamstring injury, head coach Amorim says the 29-year-old's absence was not down to any fitness problems. Instead, Altay Bayindir is in between the sticks for the Red Devils.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT AMORIM SAID
When asked about Hojlund and Onana not being in the matchday squad, he told Sky Sports before the game: "It's an option. We try to choose the best players for each game. Next week is a different life and in this week we chose this way."
Pressed further on Onana's absence, he added: "No, no [not an injury]. He [Onana] will recover but the guys did so well in pre-season so I need to balance that."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Amorim has dropped Onana in the past off the back of poor form but the ex-Inter Milan man has had an injury-hit pre-season, which has not helped his cause for the 2025/26 campaign. The Portuguese has previously given his backing to Onana but this omission may be a sign that he is not entirely happy with the stopper and that Bayindir could be first choice going forward. Or, they could be in the market for a new number one, something that was on the cards after making a loan approach for Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ONANA?
After United lock horns with Arsenal, Amorim's team travels to Fulham in their next Premier League fixture on August 24. If Onana is not included in that match as well, speculation will only increase that he will be nearing an Old Trafford exit.