In a surprising prelude to the Europa League quarter-final clash, Nemanja Matic, currently playing for Lyon, has publicly criticized Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana, labeling him as "one of the worst in the club's history." This controversial comment came after Onana expressed confidence in his team's superiority over Lyon ahead of their match on Thursday. Matic, who has a history with United from 2017 to 2022, reiterated that Onana's comments should be taken with caution given his current standing as a goalkeeper.

Matic pointedly remarked, "If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history, you need to take care what you are talking about," indicating that players of a higher caliber like David De Gea or Peter Schmeichel would have more credibility in such discussions. This sentiment was echoed in his remarks where he suggested that statistically, Onana has not performed at the level expected of a Manchester United keeper: “But if you are statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's modern history, then he needs to show that before he says." The tension escalated further as Matic, now with Lyon, prepares to face his former club.Source

Onana responded on social media, defending his stance, asserting that he respects all clubs but was proud of his accolades at Manchester United, having lifted various trophies. His confidence continues despite being scrutinized for his performances this season, particularly after a shaky showing in a recent draw against Lyon, where he was responsible for two goals against his side.Source

In the wake of the continued pressure, United manager Ruben Amorim backed Onana, acknowledging that mistakes are part of football. Amorim stated, "If you look at the season, I made more mistakes than them during these last games and these last months," defending Onana as critical to their strategy despite the recent controversies surrounding his gameplay.Source

As tensions rise before the significant match in Manchester, the spotlight will be firmly on Onana, who has endured a challenging season but remains a key figure for his team. United's hopes of securing Champions League football next season hinge on their performance in the Europa League, underscoring the importance of the upcoming fixture.Source