Andre Onana is dubbed ‘one of worst Man United keepers EVER’ by Nemanja Matic – but current No 1 hits back with new ‘trophies’ jibe about former midfielder on the eve of Europa League reunion

Andre Onana has been branded ‘one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history’ by former Red Devil Nemanja Matic.

Matic, who left Old Trafford in 2022, will come face-to-face with Onana on Thursday night with his current club Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals. 

In the build-up to the clash, Onana suggested that Lyon are a ‘very good team’ but that ‘I think we are better than them’.

And that comment has prickled Matic, 36, who hit back: ‘To say that, you need to have cover to say something like that. Onana, I respect everyone, but to say that, then you need to give an answer.

‘If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history, you need to take care what you are talking about. 

‘If David de Gea, or Peter Schmeichel, or (Edwin) Van der Sar said that, then I will question myself. 

Matic lashed out after Onana suggested that United are ‘better than’ his new club Lyon 

‘But if you are one of the statistically worst goalkeepers in Man United modern history, he needs to show that (they’re better) before he says.’ 

The pair have never played together, but it comes amid scrutiny of Onana following a series high-profile errors since joining United in 2023. 

According to Opta, Onana has the worst clean sheet percentage and the second-worst save percentage of any United goalkeeper to have played 900+ minutes since the 2003-04 season.

The Cameroonian has conceded 99 goals in 69 Premier League appearances, saved 70.1 per cent of the shots he has faced, and kept a clean sheet just 18 times – a 26.1 percentage. 

Only Anders Lindegaard has a worse save percentage among the group of goalkeepers. 

United sit 13th in the Premier league and are on course for their worst-ever finish since the top flight’s rebrand in 1992. 

Lyon, meanwhile, sit fifth in Ligue 1 and could easily finish as high as second, although there have been concerns over their financial situation.

Previewing the tie against Lyon, Onana had said: ‘It’s a very good team. 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.

Man United goalkeepers to have played 900+ mins since 2003-04 ranked by save percentage

Goalkeepers to have played 900+ mins since 2003-04 ranked by clean sheet percentage

‘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. 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.’ 

In fairness to Onana, most outsiders would make a club of United’s stature favourites over Lyon, but his comments clearly did not go down well. 

Matic spent five seasons at Old Trafford, accumulating 189 appearances, although he was unable to build on the two Premier League titles, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup that he won with Chelsea.

Onana, meanwhile, has won both domestic cups once so far, and could add the Europa League to that haul. 

The goalkeeper later clarified his comments on X but still took a cheeky dig at Matic: ‘I would never be disrespectful to another club. 

‘We 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 I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same.’

More to follow.