Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has launched a fierce criticism of current goalkeeper Andre Onana, calling him “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history.
Matic’s sharp remarks came after Onana claimed that United are “way better” than French side Lyon ahead of their Europa League quarter-final showdown.
Amid a difficult domestic campaign that sees them sitting 13th in the Premier League, Manchester United will host Lyon on Thursday, April 10, for the first leg of their European tie. Despite their struggles at home, United remains unbeaten in European competition. Lyon, by contrast, currently occupies fifth place in Ligue 1.
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ONANA ADDRESSING THEIR UPCOMING EUROPA LEAGUE GAME AGAINST LYON
Speaking after a goalless Manchester derby on Sunday, Onana voiced confidence about the upcoming clash, acknowledging Lyon’s quality but asserting that United was the superior team.
However, his comments did not go down well with Matic. The Serbian, who previously played for both Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League, responded with visible frustration and didn’t hold back in his harsh assessment of the Cameroonian shot-stopper.
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“You know, I respect everyone, but to say that, then you need to give the answer,” Matic said. “If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s history, you need to take care of what you are talking about.”
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MATIC’S RESPONSE TO ONANA’S STATEMENT
Matic went on to say that such a statement would have carried weight if it had come from club legends like David de Gea, Peter Schmeichel, or Edwin van der Sar. “But when you’re statistically among the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s modern history, you need to prove yourself before making bold claims. We’ll see,” he remarked.
Since his move from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023, Onana has come under fire for a string of inconsistent performances. His form has been heavily scrutinized by both fans and pundits, casting doubt over his role as United’s number one. As the Europa League clash with Lyon approaches, Onana’s comments have added another layer of tension to a club already under pressure to deliver on the European stage.
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