Matic Criticizes Onana Ahead of Europa League Showdown
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Synopsis
Nemanja Matic, a former Manchester United midfielder now with Olympique Lyonnais, criticized goalkeeper Andre Onana's claim of superiority over Lyon. He highlighted Onana's poor statistics as one of the worst goalkeepers in United's recent history, emphasizing the need for Onana to prove himself on the field ahead of their Europa League clash.
Key Takeaways
- Nemanja Matic responds to Andre Onana's claims.
- Onana is statistically among the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history.
- Matic emphasizes the need for proof on the field.
- Manchester United is facing a potential record low league finish.
- Europa League victory is crucial for United’s season.
Lyon, April 9 (NationPress) Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic, currently playing for Olympique Lyonnais, responded to goalkeeper Andre Onana, who asserted that his team surpasses the French side and stated they should prioritize themselves over their Friday opponents.
Matic, who made 189 appearances for the Red Devils during his five-year tenure at Old Trafford, emphasized that Onana is ‘statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s modern history’ and must demonstrate his worth on the pitch before making such assertions.
"I don't know, to make that claim, you need to have grounds for it. I respect everyone, but to say that, you need to be prepared for the consequences. If you are among the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history, you should be cautious about your statements.
"If David de Gea or Peter Schmeichel, or (Edwin) Van der Sar made that statement, I would reflect on myself. But if you are statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s modern history, you need to show your abilities before speaking. We will see," Matic remarked in the pre-game conference.
Matic’s remarks carry significant weight as Manchester United is heading towards their lowest league finish in history, surpassing the previous record set by Erik Ten Hag’s United in 2023-24, where they finished eighth. The team is presently positioned at 13th place, having won only 10 out of their 31 matches.
The club has conceded 41 goals while scoring 37, leading to a minus four goal difference in the standings at this point.
The side, coached by Ruben Amorim, has spent most of the season in the lower half of the table and has been eliminated from the FA Cup. Winning in the Europa League is crucial for United, as it remains their last opportunity, and they could secure a place in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League by clinching the Europa trophy at the season's end.
