Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has delivered a scathing assessment of current Red Devils goalkeeper Andre Onana, branding him “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s illustrious history. This sharp retort came after Onana made a bold claim that the struggling Manchester United side were significantly better than Lyon, their opponents in the Europa League quarter-finals. Matic, who spent five years at Old Trafford, did not hold back when asked about Onana’s comments during a pre-match press conference, directly challenging the goalkeeper’s standing within the club.
Matic’s Brutal Assessment
The Lyon midfielder did not mince his words when addressing Onana’s statement. “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 stated firmly. His criticism went further, as he questioned Onana’s authority to make such pronouncements given his own performance record at the club.
Matic drew a comparison with legendary Manchester United goalkeepers, suggesting that criticism from the likes of David De Gea, Peter Schmeichel, or Edwin van der Sar would warrant self-reflection. “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,” Matic added, highlighting the weight of Onana’s claim against his own performances.
Onana’s Initial Bold Claim
Andre Onana’s initial statement, which sparked Matic’s strong reaction, was made ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon in France. Despite Manchester United currently sitting in 13th place in the Premier League, Onana confidently asserted that the team was “way better” than their French counterparts. This declaration, considering the club’s current form, appeared to have irked former player Matic, leading to his blunt response.
Onana’s Swift Rebuttal
Following Matic’s harsh words, Andre Onana was quick to respond. While the provided text doesn’t detail the exact content of Onana’s reply, it mentions that his comment was “pointed” and alluded to Matic’s own achievements during his time at Old Trafford. This suggests a potential back-and-forth between the two, adding further fuel to the developing narrative surrounding Manchester United’s current state and the opinions of former players.
Nemanja Matic’s forceful critique of Andre Onana’s bold claims has undoubtedly added another layer of intrigue to Manchester United’s season. The exchange highlights the pressure and scrutiny faced by players at a club with such a rich history and the differing perspectives between current and former members. As Manchester United prepares for their Europa League clash against Lyon, this war of words will likely be a talking point, further intensifying the focus on Onana’s performance and the overall state of the team.
