Ruben Amorim confirms worst Man Utd fears and makes decision on Andre Onana starting

has confirmed that striker Joshua Zirkzee will miss the rest of the season. The Portuguese coach also revealed will start the Red Devils' Europa League clash with Lyon tomorrow after being dropped for the 4-1 Premier League thrashing by Newcastle on Sunday.

Zirkzee limped off during that game holding his hamstring. The Dutchman of the crucial European second-leg game against Lyon at Old Trafford. However, Amorim has now confirmed that the forward will play no further part in the club's campaign.

"Joshua is out for the season," Amorim said. "He is not going to play anymore this season. We must prepare him for next season. It is hard for any player to stop, but it's football. He has to be ready to recover."

Meanwhile, the United boss will name Onana in the line-up to face Lyon tomorrow. After two errors in France culminated a week in which he was labelled one of the worst goalkeepers to wear a United shirt by Lyon and former Red Devils star Nemanja Matic, the Cameroon international was left at home for the club's trip to Newcastle.

Amorim wanted Onana to clear his mind after a string of mistakes had cost United points in the Premier League and wins in Europe. But second-choice shot-stopper Altay Bayindir's chances of starting against Lyon took a blow when he endured a tough game against the Magpies.

Onana will return against Lyon, with Amorim explaining: "I think as a former coach and a player, I try to do things that can help a player in this situation. We talk about managing players physically, but we also have to manage them mentally. This week, my thinking was to put Onana to play.

"When I made that decision in the last week, I talked with Andre and that is important for me to explain what I am thinking. I have the conversation [with my coaches] but it is my decision in the end. I think Andre deserves to return to the competition."

Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven remain absent with respective foot injuries. Heaven returned to the substitutes' bench for the defeat against Newcastle but is said to have suffered a setback. Amorim expects both defenders to return before the end of the season.

Veteran centre-back Jonny Evans returned to training today but he is not set to play any part against Lyon. United drew the first leg 2-2 and a victory over the Ligue 1 club at Old Trafford tomorrow would book a place in the Europa League semi-finals. With Amorim's side on course to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League, winning the European competition is their only chance of qualifying for the Champions League.