Manchester United have had a rocky season domestically, and thus have hinged their campaign’s level of success fully on how far they progress through the Europa League.
Thus, all their focus will be on midweek fixtures as they push for a major European trophy amidst an otherwise disappointing 2024/25 journey.
In the process of backing his side ahead of their quarterfinal first leg against Lyon, goalkeeper Andre Onana inadvertently provided his opponent with some locker room material, to which a former Red Devil lashed out in anger.
The war of words has added an additional subtext to this match that could cause the situation to overflow on the pitch during the 90 minutes.
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Onana claims Man United “better” than Europa League opponents Lyon
Prior to the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal matchup in France, Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana backed his side to advance, saying that Man United were the “way better team” and should move on to the semifinals.
“If we go there with a winning mentality and we are focused, stay compact and together and we follow the game plan, we will be winning the game,” Onana said.
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“We know some of them [Lyon’s players], but I don’t think we have to focus on them. It’s more about us, what we’re going to do. Of course, it’s not going to be easy, but I think we are way better than them.”
While it was a bit of a bold statement for the club sitting 13th in the Premier League table, it wasn’t exactly out of the ordinary for a player at a major European club to prop themselves up before a matchup of this caliber.
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Nemanja Matic slams Andre Onana in prematch war of words
Despite the relatively tame nature of Onana’s comments on the whole, Nemanja Matic did NOT take kindly to Andre Onana’s prematch comments ahead of their Europa League quarterfinal meeting.
Matic, a former Man United and current Lyon midfielder, considered Onana’s declaration of verbal warfare. When asked to respond to Onana’s comments in his own media availability, he responded with an explosive riposte.
“When you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history, you need to take care what you’re talking about,” Matic said.
Onana, Ruben Amorim respond to Matic verbal attack
Both Andre Onana himself and Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim have responded to Matic’s aggressive claim.
The goalkeeper posted a photo of him with the FA Cup on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “I would never be disrespectful to another club. We know that tomorrow will be a difficult game against a strong opponent…At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same.”
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
That would be a thinly veiled shot at the fact Matic never won a trophy during his five years in Manchester.
Amorim, meanwhile, defended his goalkeeper during a sit-down interview with TNT Sports before the match. He made sure to point out the full context of the quote where Onana pays respect to the opponent in the process of backing his own teammates.
“It’s a normal thing!’
Ruben Amorim talks on the back and forth between Andre Onana and Nemanja Matic ahead of Europa League quarter-final 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ue5K9urY5X
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 10, 2025
“Andre just wanted to show the confidence he has in his team,” Amorim said. “What I felt is [Onana is] not one to disrespect the opponent, and then if you ask any player of Lyon who they think is the best team, they will say Lyon. So it’s a normal thing.”