Andre Onana has fired back at Nemanja Matic after being called ‘one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history’.
A war of words has emerged before Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final first leg between United and Lyon at the Groupama Stadium – live on talkSPORT.
GettyBut the United goalkeeper has hit back at the response he was given[/caption]
Onana told reporters that he thinks his side are ‘way better’ than their French opponents, but was met by a feisty response from ex-Red Devils midfielder Matic.
“To say that, you need to have cover for something like that,” the Lyon midfielder said on Wednesday.
“I respect everyone, but to say that, then you need to get the answer. If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history, you need to take care about what you’re talking [about].
“If David De Gea or 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 Man United modern history, then he needs to show that before he says. So, we will see.”
Onana may have conceded 137 goals across 93 matches for United, but took to X to defend his views on Lyon, while also taking a swipe at Matic in the process.
“I would never be disrespectful to another club,” he posted. “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.”
Onana’s post was accompanied by an image of him holding the FA Cup after United beat Manchester City 2-0 in last season’s final.
He won the trophy during his debut campaign at the club and has highlighted Matic’s lack of silverware when he was at Old Trafford.
After winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and League Cup with Chelsea, the Serbian signed for United in July 2017.
Matic made 189 appearances for the club following his move worth a reported £40million, but didn’t win a trophy during his five-year stay.
The 36-year-old left after his contract expired in 2022 and moved to Roma for a season before a spell with Rennes.
Lyon signed him last summer for around £2.2m, with the veteran featuring in 34 matches throughout the 2024/25 campaign so far.
Eight of his appearances have come in the Europa League as Lyon eye up a first European semi-final since their Champions League run in 2020.
Before Thursday’s reunion, Matic spoke to The Athletic and revealed the differences he noticed at United after switching from Chelsea.
“The difference I felt after Chelsea was that, at Chelsea, everything was about the result and winning trophies.
“That was the spirit in the whole club, even from the man who cuts the grass. Roman Abramovich would only ask us about results.
“At United, it was more commercial-minded. I started to think that after a couple of months in the club.
“I understand that our salary needs to be paid, but I felt that the results were not the focus like it was at Chelsea. I maybe did two commercial jobs at Chelsea, at United it was far more.
“I arrived at United with the anger to win trophies like I had at Chelsea, but step by step I started to feel that trophies were not the focus. Maybe I’m not right, but that was my feeling inside.”
The winner between Lyon and United will meet Rangers or Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-finals at the end of the month.
