Nemanja Matic brutally calls Andre Onana one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history as things get spicy pre-match.
Matic, an ex-Man Utd midfielder now playing for Lyon, has made headlines with a scathing remark about Andre Onana, the current Manchester United goalkeeper.
Ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final meeting between the two teams, Matic responded to Onana’s claim that United are “way better” than Lyon.
Matic didn’t hold back, stating that Onana is “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history” and suggesting he should be cautious with his words, especially when compared to legendary United keepers like Edwin van der Sar, Peter Schmeichel, or David de Gea.
This comment has sparked debate, given Onana’s mixed record since joining United from Inter Milan in 2023 for £43.8 million.
🗣️ “If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man Utd history, you need to take care”
Nemanja Matić has hit back at Andre Onana after the United keeper said that they are “way better” than their Europa League opponents Lyon 🔴 pic.twitter.com/jYDWgyprVG
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 9, 2025
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. pic.twitter.com/3easLRIz3d
— Andre Onana (@AndreyOnana) April 9, 2025
“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,” said Matic.
“If David De Gea, Peter Schmeichel or Edwin van der Sar said that I would question myself but if you are statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s modern history, he needs to show that before he says it.”
Onana had been in a confident mood when speaking to the press after keeping his ninth Premier League clean sheet of the season in Sunday’s drab derby draw with Manchester City.
Questioned about Lyon ahead of Thursday’s quarter-final first leg, he said: “It’s a very good team. We know some of them but I don’t think we have to focus on them. It’s more about us, what we’re going to do.
“I think we are better than them, we just have to go there and show who we are. If we go there with a winning mentality and we are focused, stay compact and together and we follow the game plan we will be winning the game.
“Of course, it’s not going to be easy, but I think we are way better than them. We all know the importance of this game, we will go there with the winning mentality, it’s not our best season but we still have something to win and we will go for it.”
Onana has since tweeted: “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.”
Fans reacted as Nemanja Matic says Andre Onana is one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history…
@EricNjiiru: The way he paused to ask “Onana?” you knew he’s about to cook 😂
@TheLoyalistsPod: You could see the moment he contemplated giving a media trained answer. Fair play mate.
@McglashanCj: Oof 😂😂😂😂😂 you watch onana pull off David de gea game tomorrow you fucking watch utd fans Will call him best GK in world
@C_Keshav: Got to agree with Matic with this one, dont understand why is @AndreyOnana underestimating Lyon? They are 6th in the league, 4 points off 2nd spot while we are fucking 13th. This will drastically backfire on us especially when this is the only competition we have left to fight.
@James_McE1: Onana is about to drop an all time stinker ain’t he…
@wozaboxa: Got time for this because if I’m Onana, I’m shutting the fuck up
@IMRMEZZI: Don’t know what the fuss is about, Matic is 💯 right here
@jakemillmxn: Cooked him 😂😂😂
@AverageTHFCfan: Hahaha he’s not wrong is he? Plus he’s more than just statistically the worst…
@CassiePere14696: The way he paused to ask “Onana?” you knew he’s about to cook 😂
@Finndogg3: Build a statue of Matic and give him the keys to the city 📣
@HCfootball01: Love shit like this me, call the opposition players shite, have personality, not robotic interviews, love love love it
@dezfootie: Matic played with De Gea for about 5 years. Won the Europa and challenge ManCity for the title in 2018, till they ran away with it. He saw De Gea make 11 saves an against Arsenal at the emirates and 13 against spurs at Wembley. He knows what he’s saying.
@angryginge13: Seeing Onana and Matic going at it. I love it. This is the game we once loved. 😮💨
This is genuinely a make-or-break tie for Andre Onana at United now.
He’s playing with fire with the initial comments about *this* team being better than Lyon. Those Lyon players will be using that as fuel.
But to fire back at Matic like that BEFORE the war? He has to perform.
— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) April 9, 2025
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