ANDRE ONANA is set to be offered an escape route from Manchester United by clubs in Saudi Arabia — but wants to stay and fight for his place.
The Cameroon international keeper was all smiles as he returned to United’s Carrington HQ on Monday after being given time off to clear his head by Ruben Amorim.
Boss Amorim left him out of the squad for Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle following his nightmare display in Lyon last week.
But Onana was assured he would be back in the starting line-up for the Europa League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Understudy Altay Bayindir, 27, also struggled at St James’ Park, gifting the Toon their fourth goal with a woeful clearance.
So Amorim is likely to stick to the plan and put the club’s season in the hands of the former Inter Milan stopper.
Onana, 29, looked relaxed and happy as he drove into training with one of his representatives, stopping to sign autographs outside.
He has recently changed agent — a move which sparked speculation he could look to leave United less than two years after joining them in a £47.2million deal.
Onana was targeted by Saudi clubs before he left Inter for the Theatre of Dreams in July 2023 and there is still interest from the Kingdom.
However, it is understood he is not looking to quit Amorim’s strugglers right now and plans to prove the critics wrong and re-establish himself.
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Sunday’s Tyneside humiliation confirmed the Red Devils will suffer their worst season in Premier League history.
They have 38 points with six games left so cannot beat their tally of 58 from the 2021-22 season.
But they could still qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
And skipper Bruno Fernandes has promised to repay the fans against Lyon with the tie poised at 2-2.
He said: “On Thursday we will fight back and do something special.
“The fans have always been by our side — without them we’d be in a worse position. It’s time to pay them back.”
TONY AWARDS
Meanwhile, Real Betis are pushing to make Antony’s move permanent after an encouraging start to his loan in Spain.
Other clubs have taken notice of his form since the January switch, so Betis will have to find the cash to buy the winger, 25, who United spent £85.5m on in 2022.
United have also confirmed that club director Jean-Claude Blanc has stepped down.
The Frenchman will fill a new advisory role as he remains the chief executive of Ineos Sport.
