Andre Onana has actually been branded âone of the worst goalkeepers in the history of Manchester Unitedâ by Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic as a battle of words emerged prior to their Europa League quarter-final.
The United No 1 had actually forecasted his group would certainly advance to the semi-finals due to the fact that they were âway betterâ than their French equivalents.
But Onanaâs statements following Sundayâs 0-0 draw against Manchester City activated a pungent riposte from Matic, the previous United gamer.
Asked concerning Onanaâs remarks at an interview on Wednesday to sneak peek the initial leg of the quarter-final at the Groupama Stadium, Matic, that signed up with Lyon last summer season, stated, blowing out his cheeks: âOnana? You know, I respect everyone but to say that then you need to give the answer.
âIf you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man Unitedâs history, you need to take care of what you are talking [about].
âIf David de Gea or Peter Schmeichel or [Edwin] van der Sar said that, then I would question myself.
âBut if youâre one of the statistically worst goalkeepers in Man Unitedâs modern history, then he needs to show that before he says. We will see.â
âIâ ve raised prizes with Unitedâ
The row after that intensified when Onana countered at Matic on social networks and ridiculed the Serbian over his failing to win a prize atUnited Matic, that was given Old Trafford by Jose Mourinho, in the summer season of 2017, was a ruined FA Cup and Europa League finalist with United in 2018 and 2021 specifically.
âI would never be disrespectful to another club,â stated Onana, that won the FA Cup with United last period.
âWe 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 Iâve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some canât say the same.â
The squabble has actually increased the risks in advance of the connection, with the Europa League properly standing for Unitedâs last possibility of getting the Champions League this period. United are dealing with a prospective ⤠100m blackhole in their funds if they lose out.
Onana signed up with United from Inter Milan in the summer season of 2023 for ⤠47.2 million as a substitute for De Gea, that was Maticâs team-mate at Old Trafford for 5 years.
The Cameroonian sustained a frustrating begin to his launching period at United, with a collection of high-profile errors adding to the groupâs removal at the end of the Champions League team phases.
Onana revealed indicators of enhancement throughout the 2nd fifty percent of the project yet his kind has actually dipped once again this term.
He has actually likewise dealt with grievances in current weeks from United followers over the rate of his circulation.
âAmorim is the right profileâ
Matic had some kinder words for the United head trainer Ruben Amorim, with whom he dipped into Benfica in between 2011 and 2014, and thinks he can bring back success at the Manchester club.
âItâs difficult to know whatâs going to happen. Iâm sure that he has the capacity to do that. He needs time,â Matic stated. âIn football today people donât have time but Iâm sure heâs the right profile. Heâs a young coach, with lots of energy. He needs support.
âItâs not easy. In some other leagues, maybe he will have an easier job, but in the Premier League if you are not 100 per cent ready, if you donât have a very good team, the other teams punish you.
âItâs so difficult to win the games in the Premier League because today every team has quality, a lot of good players. They all have good coaches, so itâs hard.
âItâs hard in the Premier League if the things are not right. Itâs so difficult to turn things [around] in a short period, but step by step I believe that he can do very good. But I hope that he will not start tomorrow!â
Lyon, that are 5th in Ligue 1, have actually shed simply among their previous 7 suits. Unitedâs 0-0 draw versus City left them suffering at 13th in the table.
Kobbie Mainoo can include in the initial leg in France after the England midfielder educated with the first string on Wednesday early morning.
The 19-year-old has actually not bet 2 months as a result of injury. Matthijs de Ligt has actually not taken a trip yet fellow protector Luke Shaw has actually been consisted of.
The 3 worst goalkeepers in Unitedâs background
Massimo Taibi (1999-2000)
Signed as emergency situation back-up for Fabian Barthez from Venezia for ⤠4.5 m on target date day in August 1999, the Italian yielded 11 objectives in his 4 looks for the club, consisting of allowing a tame shot from Matt Le Tissier wriggle via his legs. His last video game was a 5-0 loss toChelsea He properly price United greater than ⤠1 million per video game. One of Sir Alex Fergusonâs worst ever before finalizings.
Victor Valdes (2014-2016)
The Catalan might have won 3 Champions Leagues with Barcelona yet his 18-month spell at Old Trafford was an extensively unpleasant experience. He made simply 2 looks for Louis van Gaal prior to being transfer noted after the Dutchman asserted the goalkeeper rejected to play in a get video game and was consequently not provided a team number for the upcoming period. Once a relocate to Besiktas after that failed, Valdes invested the following 6 months iced up out prior to signing up with Standard Liege in a finance bargain that wound up being interrupted. His Old Trafford headache ultimately finished in July 2016 when he signed up with Middlesbrough on a complimentary.
Mark Bosnich (1999â 2001)
The Australian, that had actually gone to United in between 1989 and 1991 as a young person, was re-signed by Ferguson on a complimentary transfer in 1999 as a substitute for the terrificPeter Schmeichel He would certainly win the Premier League title in his initial period yet never ever persuaded Ferguson, that wound up passing theNo 1 area around in between Bosnich, Raimond van der Gouw and the previously mentionedTaibi The complying with summer season United authorized Fabian Barthez and Bosnich quickly located himself delegated to 3rd option.
Paul Scholes later on classified Bosnich as his worst ever before United group. âHe came to us and was so unprofessional. Honestly, it was ridiculous,â the previous United midfielder stated. âIn shooting practice, you normally have like 15-20 minutes, after three shots he was knackered. And I never realised, he couldnât kick a football! Honestly, Iâd never seen anything like it.â
In his 2013 memoir, Ferguson branded Bosnich aâterrible professionalâ Bosnich reacted, claiming, âThe fact remains that I was the only player he signed twice at Manchester United. Iâm honoured to be mentioned. Heâs entitled to his view and Iâm entitled to mine.â