Here’s what you need to know:
Nemanja Matic offered a scathing response to a Manchester United player’s claim that they are ‘way better’ than Europa League opponents Lyon
Nemanja Matic, now playing for Europa League quarter-final opponents Lyon, has stunningly hit back at Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, for his recent comments about the French club.
Ruben Amorim’s side are building up to another Europa League assignment, this time taking on Lyon over two legs for a place in the competitions last-four. Given that they are stranded at 13th in the Premier League table, this competition is their best remaining opportunity to qualify for Europe next season.
To advance they must defeat their French opponents, who are fifth in Ligue 1, who progressed automatically through the Europa League’s league phase as Man United did and have lost only once in the competition so far this term.
Whether it be mind games or his genuine belief, Onana had a statement to make about the upcoming challenge immediately after Sunday’s goalless Manchester derby.
“It’s a very good team,” the goalkeeper said of Lyon. “We know some of them but I don’t think we have to focus on them. It’s more about us, what we’re going to do.
“I think we are better than them, we just have to go there and show who we are. 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.
“Of course, it’s not going to be easy, but I think we are way better than them,” he exclaimed. “We all know the importance of this game, we will go there with the winning mentality, it’s not our best season but we still have something to win and we will go for it.”
It turns out this comment did not go down so well in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region of France and Onana has not gone down so well.
Matic, who made 189 appearances for Man United between 2017 and 2022, now is a key part of Lyon’s own efforts to achieve European glory and he was asked about what was said at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.
“To say that you need to have cover. Onana? I respect everyone but to say that you need to give the answer. If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history, you need to take care what you’re talking [about],” the 36-year-old said with venom.
“If David de Gea, Peter Schmeichel, [Edwin] Van der Sar said that I would question myself. If you are statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in modern history he needs to show that before he says it.”
Man United’s squad, including Onana, have taken part in open training on Wednesday morning before jetting off to France for a first-leg meeting at the Groupama Stadium tomorrow.
The return leg will then take place one week later on Thursday, April 17, at Old Trafford. The victor plays either Rangers or Athletic Bilbao.
Published: 2025-04-09 13:19:18 | Author: [email protected] (James Quinlan) | Source: MEN – Sport
Link: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Tags: #Nemanja #Matic #savages #Man #United #star #brutal #comeback #Lyon #claim
