Andre Onana responds to Nemanja Matic after ‘worst Man Utd goalkeeper’ comment

Andre Onana hit back after Nemanja Matic called him “one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s history” by pointing to the Lyon midfielder’s trophyless time at Old Trafford in an explosive build-up to Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final.

Ruben Amorim’s underperforming Red Devils head to the Groupama Stadium for the first leg of this make-or-break clash knowing their season rests on progress against the French side.

Onana said after Sunday’s 0-0 Manchester derby draw against City at Old Trafford that overcoming Lyon, who sit fifth in Ligue 1, was “not going to be easy, but I think we are way better than them”.

Those bullish remarks have sparked a war of words on the eve of the game, with the normally understated Matic – who played for United between 2017 and 2022 – taking aim at the goalkeeper with surprising venom.

“I don’t know – you know, to say that you need to have cover for something like that. Onana?” Matic said, before puffing out his cheeks.

“You know, I respect everyone but to say that then you need to give the answer.

“If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s history, you need to take care of what you are talking (about).

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 David De Gea or Peter Schmeichel or (Edwin) van der Sar said that, then I would question myself.

“But if you’re one of the statistically worst goalkeepers in Man United’s modern history, then he needs to show that before he says.