Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana will not feature in Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The Cameroon international has come under increasing scrutiny following a poor performance in Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Lyon in the Europa League.

Onana was deemed responsible for both of the French side’s goals, adding to a season already marked by high-profile mistakes.

His omission from the squad was confirmed by sources who stated it was to allow Onana to “rest and disconnect.”

The decision is not considered permanent, and the 29-year-old is expected to return for the second leg of the quarter-final tie against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday.

The error-strewn display came just a day after former United midfielder Nemanja Matic branded Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history.

Despite the criticism, manager Ruben Amorim has offered his support.

Amorim publicly defended the under-fire keeper following the Lyon match, stating that he had personally made more mistakes this season than Onana.

Onana, who arrived from Inter Milan in 2023 for £47 million, has struggled to justify his hefty price tag. Although he has started all 69 Premier League games since joining, his form has remained inconsistent.

Since the beginning of last season, he has made eight errors leading directly to goals—the highest of any goalkeeper currently at a Premier League club.

Onana replaced long-serving goalkeeper David de Gea, a move made by former manager Erik ten Hag, who favored Onana’s ability with the ball at his feet.

The Nigerian football icon, nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in defence, died at 74, throwing family, friends, and the entire nation into mourning.

Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has joined other prominent Nigerians in paying tribute to late Super Eagles legendary former captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, who died on Saturday. 

The Nigerian football icon, nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in defence, died at 74, throwing family, friends, and the entire nation into mourning.

In a tribute to the former centre defender posted on his social media pages on Sunday, Otedola said that Chukwu creatively used the game of football as a unifying force for us as individuals and the nation in general.

“The sudden passing of the legendary Christian Chukwu, former captain and head coach of the Super Eagles, has come as a rude shock to me. As one of Nigeria’s Patriots, Christian Chukwu creatively used the game of football as a unifying force for us as individuals and the nation in general.

“His footballing career as the captain and subsequently coach of the national team remains legendary and fully etched in the annals of our national history,” the statement said.

The former national team and Enugu Rangers captain was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, and Otedola stepped in to offer financial support for his medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

The Executive Chairman of Geregu Power PLC recalled that his intervention in 2019 saw Chukwu saw through a very challenging time and gave him a new lease of life.

He condoled the family of the late legendary footballer and his fans all over the world.

“Back in 2019, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that affected his legs, I stepped in with the necessary support so as to enable him receive comprehensive care and medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

“Thankfully, that intervention and opportunity saw him through a very challenging time and gave him a new lease of life. My condolences go out to his entire family and to his fans all over the world. May you all find comfort during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”

Chukwu captained Nigeria to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in 1980 and was also a former coach of the side between 2002 and 2005. He led the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2004 edition of the continental competition in Tunisia.

He devoted his club career to Enugu Rangers, where he won multiple national titles and led the club to continental glory with their 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

By Henry Oduah

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Christian Chukwu who captained Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad and later coached the team.

Chukwu died in his native city of Enugu on Saturday.

Nicknamed ‘Chairman’ because of his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in front of the rearguard at both club (Enugu Rangers) and country, Chukwu was overjoyed as he hoisted above his head the Unity Cup (the first time Nigeria would triumph in the continental championship) after receiving same from President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22nd March 1980.

General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision consistency.

“We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest, and also grant the family and friends he has left behind, and Nigeria football’s fraternity the fortitude to bear this big loss.”

Chukwu was in the Nigeria senior team that won bronze medals at the 1976 and 1978 AFCON finals in Ethiopia and Ghana respectively, before leading the squad to glory on home soil in 1980. He was named Player of the Tournament.

Born on 4th January 1951, Chukwu coached his darling club, Enugu Rangers (he played for only one club in his career) and then coached the senior national team of Kenya, nicknamed the Harambee Stars. He was named Head Coach of the Super Eagles in 2002 and led the team to finish third at the 2004 AFCON finals in Tunisia.

His death comes exactly 20 days after the 45th anniversary of the 1980 AFCON triumph. Before him, other members of the squad that had passed on, were goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal, and forward Martins Eyo.