Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final first-leg clash against Lyon ended in a frustrating 2-2 draw, but it was not just the late equaliser by Rayan Cherki that stole the headlines. In the aftermath of a contentious performance by Andre Onana, the goalkeeper found himself at the centre of a long-running feud with former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic, who wasted no time in delivering a final jab at the shot-stopper following the match.
Onana’s blunders played a major role in the tie, and Matic, who had made his own thoughts on the goalkeeper clear in the lead-up to the match, couldn’t resist taking another swipe at the man between Manchester United’s posts. The drama between the two players, which had been brewing for weeks, boiled over in Lyon, leaving Manchester United fans and the wider footballing world watching in awe.
Onana’s Blunders Hand Lyon a Vital Advantage
The match at the Parc OL had all the makings of a hard-fought contest, but it was marred by Onana’s series of mistakes. The first of these came in the 25th minute when Onana failed to deal with a relatively innocuous set-piece from Lyon’s Thiago Almada. The ball, which was struck with little power, somehow slipped through Onana’s gloves and ended up in the top corner of the net. It was a goal that left the goalkeeper looking perplexed, and his inability to stop such a tame shot was a clear indicator of the pressure mounting on his shoulders.
Although Manchester United bounced back with headers from Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee to take a 2-1 lead into the final moments of the match, Onana would be involved in another error that proved to be costly. With the game in stoppage time, Lyon’s Rayan Cherki snatched a dramatic equaliser, but it was Onana’s spill of Georges Mikautadze’s shot that had set up the chance. The Cameroonian goalkeeper fumbled the effort, presenting Cherki with the simplest of tap-ins, and leaving United’s hopes of a crucial away win in tatters.
The Manchester United goalkeeper’s blunders were hard to ignore, especially as they directly contributed to Lyon’s ability to stay in the tie. His performance became a talking point not just for the fans but also for his former teammates, none more vocal than Matic.
Nemanja Matic collected as many #mufc shirts as he could after the game to gift to his son
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) April 11, 2025pic.twitter.com/CK0sfPgJWe
Nemanja Matic’s Pre-Match Prediction Comes True
In the build-up to the match, Andre Onana had been outspoken about Manchester United’s superiority over Lyon, claiming that his team was “way better” than their French counterparts. It was a statement that didn’t sit well with Matic, who, despite being an unused substitute during the game, couldn’t resist firing a shot back at his former teammate.
Ahead of the game, Matic had dismissed Onana’s claims by describing the goalkeeper as “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history.” It was a pointed remark, one that carried a lot of weight given Matic’s stature as a former Manchester United player. He wasn’t simply being critical; it was part of an ongoing feud that had started earlier in the season.
Despite Onana’s confidence in Manchester United’s chances against Lyon, the goalkeeper’s performance only highlighted the frustration felt by Matic, who had predicted that Onana would be involved in a costly error. The former Manchester United midfielder appeared to have the last laugh, with Onana’s mistakes leaving the team’s European aspirations hanging in the balance.
The Social Media Exchange: Onana’s Retort and Matic’s Reply
Following the game, Onana took to social media to defend himself and take a swipe at Matic. The goalkeeper posted an image of himself lifting the FA Cup, accompanied by the caption: “At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same.” The comment was a direct jab at Matic’s lack of success at Old Trafford during his time there, as he was often left to play a peripheral role in the team’s struggles.
However, Matic, never one to back down from a verbal exchange, responded with a subtle but pointed message of his own. The 36-year-old Serbian, who has since left Manchester United and is now plying his trade at Serie A’s AS Roma, posted a picture of his son surrounded by a collection of United shirts. One of the shirts missing from the display was Onana’s, and instead, Tom Heaton’s 22 shirt was prominently displayed next to his son. It was a clear message, one that suggested Matic was making a statement about Onana’s standing within the United squad.
The image spoke volumes about the ongoing tensions between the two, and it seemed that Matic was enjoying his moment of vindication as Manchester United’s number one goalkeeper continued to be a figure of controversy.
Ruben Amorim Defends Onana Amid Criticism
Despite the harsh criticism from Matic, United manager Ruben Amorim attempted to defend his goalkeeper in the aftermath of the 2-2 draw. In his post-match comments, Amorim conceded that mistakes were part of the game but insisted that Onana’s blunders should not overshadow his overall contributions.
“It can happen with any player,” Amorim said, downplaying the significance of Onana’s errors. “There’s nothing I can say to Andre in this moment that will help. The most important thing is to be natural and then, when the time comes, I will choose the best XI to play. But I’m really confident in Andre.”
Amorim’s remarks were an attempt to shield Onana from further scrutiny, but they did little to alleviate the growing pressure on the goalkeeper. The errors in Lyon were only the latest in a string of high-profile mistakes, and it is clear that Onana’s position at United is under threat.
The United manager also acknowledged that distractions, including Onana’s ongoing feud with Matic, could have contributed to his performance. “That can happen,” he admitted, though he did not place the blame entirely on the goalkeeper’s shoulders.
Onana’s Record of Mistakes: A Growing Concern for Manchester United
Onana’s performance against Lyon was not an isolated incident. As Opta pointed out after the match, Onana has now made errors directly leading to eight goals across all competitions over the past two seasons, more than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League. This statistic raises serious questions about the goalkeeper’s reliability, especially in high-pressure situations like the Europa League quarter-finals.
For a club like Manchester United, who have long prided themselves on having world-class goalkeepers, Onana’s inconsistency has become a significant concern. With the club aiming to challenge for top honours, mistakes at the back—especially from a player of Onana’s stature—are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Given his growing list of errors and the ongoing feud with Matic, it’s clear that Onana’s time at United could be coming to an end if he doesn’t quickly improve. Whether or not he can regain the trust of his manager, teammates, and supporters remains to be seen.
Conclusion: A Complex Relationship
The saga of Andre Onana and Nemanja Matic’s feud provides yet another subplot to Manchester United’s turbulent season. From Onana’s blunders to Matic’s pointed remarks, the two men have become embroiled in a war of words that has overshadowed United’s European campaign.
While Onana’s mistakes have caused frustration for United fans, Matic’s barbs have added fuel to the fire, making it clear that the goalkeeper is no longer seen as the solution to United’s problems. With the team’s chances of winning silverware on the line, it remains to be seen whether Onana can recover from this latest chapter in his troubled tenure at Old Trafford.
As for Matic, his final jab at Onana may be his most satisfying yet—especially as the goalkeeper’s mistakes continue to cost United in critical moments. The question now is whether United can move past this goalkeeper drama or whether it will continue to haunt them for the rest of the season.
