Manchester United fans were quick to jump on Nemanja Matic’s comments about Andre Onana after the goalkeeper’s nightmare night in their Europa League clash with Lyon on Thursday evening.
Former United midfielder Matic turned heads when he hit out at Onana ahead of the quarter-final tie, with the Serbian taking issue with quotes attributed to the Cameroonian goalkeeper claiming that United were a much better team than their Ligue 1 opponents and would beat them.
Hitting back in a press conference on Wednesday, Matic said: “If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history, you need to take care what you’re talking about. If it was [Edwin] Van der Sar, [Peter] Schmeichel or [David] De Gea saying that, then I would question myself. But you need to have cover to say something like that.”
Onana was quick to defend himself though, claiming that his words were taken out of context. Posting on X, the goalkeeper said: “I would never be disrespectful to another club. We know that tomorrow will be a difficult game against a strong opponent.
“We focus on preparing a performance to make our fans proud. At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same.”
Matic failed to win a trophy in his five seasons at Old Trafford, and the 36-year-old was watching on from the Lyon bench when team-mate Thiago Almada’s free-kick from distance beat Onana’s despairing dive and dropped into the corner of the net.
It was a clear error from Onana, one of many he has made since joining United, and fans online were quick to hit out at the former Inter Milan goalkeeper – who was jeered by Lyon fans throughout the first half.
On angry United supporter wrote: “YEAH MATIC WAS RIGHT F*** OFF!” Another added: “Nemanja Matic is watching and he’s laughing…”
The criticism for Onana kept on coming on X, with a fan writing: “Onana making an absolute howler after Matic called him the worst GK in man united history lmao. You can’t make this up.” Another added: “That Onana mistake was so inevitable after the little war of words with Matic. Just an all round terrible goalkeeper. Can’t wait for him to leave.”
A fifth fan wrote simply: “Matic 1-0 Onana.” However, the goalkeeper saw his blushes spared shortly before half-time when Leny Yoro equalised for United with his first goal for the club.
Joshua Zirkzee headed what looked to be a late winner from a Bruno Fernandes cross, only for another Onana error to allow Rayan Cherki to score a last gasp equaliser when he spilled an effort straight to the Lyon attacker.
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