By Lyon, April 9, 2025 – Tensions are soaring ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon, as former United star Nemanja Matić launched a scathing attack on goalkeeper Andre Onana. During a fiery press conference, Matić, now playing for Lyon, branded Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history,” igniting a war of words just 24 hours before the crucial match in France.
“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
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— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 9, 2025
The drama erupted after Onana, speaking after United’s recent Manchester derby draw against City, claimed his team was “way better” than Lyon and should easily advance to the semi-finals. “We know some of them, but I don’t think we have to focus on them. We are better than them,” Onana said, as reported by Manchester World. His bold statement didn’t sit well with Matić, who spent five years at United from 2017 to 2022 and won the Europa League with the club in 2017. Sitting at a press conference with Lyon’s logo behind him, Matić hit back hard: “If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man Utd history, you need to take care.”
Matić’s comments, shared by Sky Sports News on X, have sparked a frenzy among fans, with reactions ranging from shock to amusement. “Matić just nutmegged Onana with that comeback 
,” one user posted, while another called Onana “a clown” who should let his game do the talking. Onana, who joined United from Inter Milan in 2023 for £43.8 million, has been a polarizing figure. Despite leading the Premier League in clean sheets by December 2024, his high-profile errors—like those in a 3-3 Champions League draw against Galatasaray in 2023—have fueled criticism and given Matić’s words extra bite.
The exchange has added serious spice to Thursday’s match, with United set to face a Lyon side that thrashed FCSB in the last-16 round. United, who advanced past Real Sociedad thanks to a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick, will need Onana at his best to prove Matić wrong. As the football world watches, this clash promises not just goals but plenty of drama. Will Onana rise to the challenge, or will Matić have the last laugh?
