Andre Onana responds to Nemanja Matic’s brutal ‘worst’ dig, Man Utd goalkeeper makes one thing clear

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There has been a war of words in the build-up to Manchester United against Lyon this Thursday in the Europa League.

Ruben Amorim will be hoping for a smooth trip to France this week for the Europa League quarter-final against Ligue 1 side Lyon.

After an emphatic win over Real Sociedad on the last European match-day, Manchester United should be encouraged and confident to place one foot into the semi-finals this week.

United’s hopes are boosted by a strong squad, with Kobbie Mainoo back training with the squad, along with Ayden Heaven. Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt appears to be the only new absentee.

The game is set to be a blockbuster, with heated words being exchanged through the media by players on both sides. Andre Onana suggested United are ‘way better’ than Lyon, and now this has been responded to.

• READ MORE: Who is Andre Onana? Delve into the life of Manchester United’s Cameroonian shot-stopper

Nemanja Matic slams Andre Onana for Lyon comments

Onana’s comments went down badly in France, with the words being suggested by Lyon media to be motivation for the home side.

Now, speaking with the press ahead of the game, Nemanja Matic has spoken out regarding these words, issuing a brutal verdict on Onana in the process, as quoted by Nathan Salt on X.

“Onana said they’re way better than us?” Matic asked. “When you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history, you need to take care what you’re talking about”.

“If it was [Edwin] Van der Sar, [Peter] Schmeichel or [David] de Gea saying that, ok… but Onana, he’s one of the worst”.

Matic has not been alone, as Sidney Govou said Lyon is not scared of United in response to Onana’s comments, which could well bite the Red Devils.

Andre Onana hits back at Nemanja Matic’s dig

Following Matic’s comments, Onana wasted little time hitting back at the former United midfielder as he took to X with a photo of himself and the FA Cup.

“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.”

The final sentence of Onana’s message was loaded and is a hit back at Matic, which is sure to see the pair keen to get face-to-face on Thursday night.

Nemanja Matic has a point about Andre Onana at Manchester United

Matic’s words come across extremely harsh, with talk which would be right at home in the WWE rather than in the build-up to a major European knockout clash.

It does build the narrative around the game, along with excitement for the fixture as it now seems there could be some fireworks with a rivalry being built.

When looking into Matic’s comment, as brutal as it is, the Serbian does have a point. Onana holds the record for conceding the most goals in a season as a United goalkeeper – on record – with 80 conceded during the 2023/24 season.

Onana heading this list is a bad look and means defending the Cameroonian is difficult, albeit he has been much better this season, conceding 52 in 42 games.

He is capable of the brilliant though, and we will have to hope he brings his A-game on Thursday, otherwise, it could be an embarrassing night for the 29-year-old.