Onana has Lyon RATTLED ahead of Man Utd Europa League showdown

Tom Weber

Updated: 9 Apr 2025 14:16 BST
3 min read

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana appears to have managed to get under the skin of Lyon's players with his recent comments.

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The Red Devils are gearing up for a crunch Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon that could prove to be season-defining for both clubs as winning the competition and thus qualifying for the Champions League would generate much-needed revenues.

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André Onana

Man Utd

André Onana

Man Utd

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€30.8M - €37.6M

Lyon desperately need to raise funds before the end of the season to stave off a provisional relegation to Ligue 2, while Man Utd need the money to ease their concerns over the Premier League's Profit and Sustainabilty Rules and to enable them to spend this summer.

The first leg of the tie will take place in Lyon on Thursday night, and Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana raised eyebrows with his comments in the build-up to the game.

Onana insisted that Man Utd, who are 13th in the Premier League, are 'way better' than their French opponents, saying: "We all know the importance of this game, we will go there with the winning mentality.

"We have to go there and show who we are. If we are focused, stay compact and together and follow the gameplan, we will be winning the game. Of course, it’s not going to be easy, but I think we are way better than them."

Matic bites back

Onana, who was previously close to joining Lyon, caused a minor stir in the French press with his comments, with several outlets pointing out that his assertion will provide additional motivation for Paulo Fonseca's men.

However, Onana appears to have managed to get under the skin of the opposing players. Ironically, it was former Man Utd star Nemanja Matic who has now attempted to bite back at the Cameroon international.

"If you're one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history, then you need to take care of what you are talking about," Matic responded bitterly.

"If David De Gea, Peter Schmeichel or Edwin van der Sar said that, I would question myself, but if you are statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's modern history, he needs to show that before he says it."