Joshua Zirkzee will not play again this season for Manchester United. Rúben Amorim revealed the news during a press conference about the injured Dutchman. The Portuguese manager also had an update on André Onana the Cameroonian will return to action on Thursday in the Europa League quarter-final against Olympique Lyon.
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Joshua Zirkzee has experienced a rollercoaster of a week one that began with celebration and ended in disappointment.
The young Dutch striker made headlines after scoring a vital goal against Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final. His sharp movement and composed finish gave United hope in what proved to be a tightly contested 2-2 draw in France. It was a significant moment for Zirkzee, who has slowly been working his way into a more prominent role in Rúben Amorim’s squad, earning trust with his performances in domestic and European competitions alike.
However, the euphoria of midweek quickly gave way to concern over the weekend. In the Premier League clash against Newcastle United, Zirkzee pulled up with a muscle injury and had to leave the pitch early. The scenes were worrying the striker looked in visible discomfort, and the medical staff didn’t take any risks. Immediately, the speculation began. Was this a minor knock, or something more serious? As the days went on, reports from within the club hinted at a longer-term issue, and now, Amorim has officially confirmed the worst.
“Joshua will not play again this season. We’re now working with him toward next season,” said the United manager during his pre-match press conference. “It’s frustrating for him and for us, because he was hitting a great stride. But his long-term health is more important, and we want him back stronger.”
Zirkzee’s absence is a considerable blow for United, who had started to rely more and more on the 22-year-old's physicality, creativity, and link-up play. His ability to drop deep and bring others into the game added a new dimension to United's attack especially in European matches, where his intelligence on the ball often helped stretch defences and create space for runners like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
As the club prepares for the return leg against Lyon set to kick off at 21:00 this Thursday, April 17, at Old Trafford Zirkzee will be watching from the stands, his season cut short just as it was gaining momentum. The aggregate scoreline is delicately poised at 2-2, meaning United must win on the night to progress to the semi-finals.
Amorim, though, balanced the bad news with a bit of optimism. In the same press conference, he confirmed that Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, who has also been out with injury, is expected to return before the end of the campaign. “Matthijs is progressing well. He’s not ready for this one, but we expect him to be available for the final stretch of the season. That’s a big boost.”
Another name that dominated the build-up to the Lyon match is André Onana but for very different reasons. The Cameroonian goalkeeper, often praised for his distribution and confidence, endured a nightmare in the first leg in France. A string of poor decisions and unconvincing saves left many fans frustrated, and Amorim made the bold decision to leave him out of the squad entirely for the weekend’s clash with Newcastle.
Speculation over a potential fallout quickly surfaced, but Amorim cleared the air with a calm explanation. “Onana is ready,” he said. “I felt it was better for him not to play last weekend. Sometimes, stepping back for a moment is the best way to come back stronger. But now I’m thinking again about letting him start.”
The decision to reinstate Onana in such a high-stakes fixture reflects Amorim’s belief in the goalkeeper's ability to bounce back something Onana has done throughout his career. While his form has been erratic this season, his experience in big games could prove crucial in a tie that may be decided by moments of individual brilliance or mistakes.
The stakes on Thursday could hardly be higher. United, desperate to return to European glory, have one foot in the semi-finals but must deliver a composed, focused performance to get over the line. Lyon, meanwhile, come into the match full of belief after holding their own in the first leg and will look to exploit any nerves in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
The absence of Zirkzee is a painful one, but United will count on their depth with Rasmus Højlund expected to lead the line and Bruno Fernandes likely to play a central role in orchestrating the attack. All eyes will also be on Onana, whose performance may define the evening for better or worse.
As the clock ticks down to kick-off, Manchester United fans are preparing for a dramatic night in Europe. The past week may have brought its fair share of setbacks, but Thursday offers a chance to flip the script to push through adversity and take a step closer to silverware.
Updated: 03:11, 16 Apr 2025
