Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matić delivered a scathing assessment of Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana on Wednesday, April 9th, branding him “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the Premier League club’s history. The comments came ahead of the Europa League quarter-final first leg between the two sides on Thursday.
Matić’s remarks were a direct response to Onana reportedly stating earlier in the week that Manchester United, despite their struggles this season, were “way better” than Lyon. United currently sit 13th in the Premier League, making the Europa League potentially their only route to Champions League qualification.
“If you’re one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history, then you need to take care of what you are talking about,” Matić, who spent five seasons at Old Trafford without winning a trophy, told reporters. “If David de Gea, Peter Schmeichel or Edwin van der Sar said that, then I would question myself. But if you are statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s modern history, then he needs to show that before he says [that].”
Onana quickly responded via social media platform X. While stating he would “never be disrespectful to another club,” he added a pointed remark aimed at Matić: “At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same,” accompanied by a picture of him kissing the FA Cup United won last year.
In contrast to his criticism of Onana, Matić offered words of support for Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, a former teammate at Benfica. “We all saw that he has potential, he has everything to become a good coach… I’m happy for him,” Matić said. “He needs time [at United]. In football today people don’t have time, but I’m sure he has the right profile… He needs support.”
The sharp exchange between Matić and Onana adds extra spice to Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg in Lyon.
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