Matic’s Explosive Comments Ignite Rivalry Before Europa Showdown
Nemanja Matic just threw a verbal grenade ahead of the Europa League quarter-final. Sitting in front of journalists as Lyon’s midfielder, the ex-Manchester United player straight-up called Andre Onana “one of the worst” keepers in the club’s long history. If there was ever a way to fire up a pre-match feud, this was it.
Matic’s jab didn’t come out of nowhere. Onana, now the man between the sticks at United, had recently claimed that United were “way better” than Lyon—right after Matic had criticized some of his performances. That comment clearly didn’t sit well with the Serbian veteran, who immediately hit back. In his words: if you’re statistically one of the worst goalkeepers at United, perhaps you should stay quiet. Matic even name-dropped icons like David De Gea, Peter Schmeichel, and Edwin van der Sar, saying he’d only take criticism from them.
The timing couldn’t have been juicier. Before most people had time to digest the war of words, the match kicked off—and then it went horribly wrong for Onana. Just 25 minutes into the first leg, Lyon’s Thiago Almada whipped in a free-kick that Onana completely botched. The ball slipped past him and into the net, putting Lyon on top and directly fueling Matic’s argument.
Social Media Backlash and Unforgettable Comparisons
After Onana’s mistake, the internet wasted no time. Fans on X (the site formerly known as Twitter) posted reaction videos, memes, and brutally honest takes. Some weren’t shy about agreeing with Matic, calling the blunder proof that Onana is nowhere near the “legend” status United fans expect from their keeper. One viral post read: “Broooo Matic was f*cking right. Onana is the worst keeper.” That’s about as direct as it gets.
It wasn’t just about one mistake, either. A lot of supporters started dredging up stats, comparing Onana’s error count and clean sheets to the likes of De Gea, Schmeichel, and van der Sar. The numbers don’t do Onana any favors. While those legendary keepers built their reputations on jaw-dropping saves and consistency, Onana is now under the microscope for almost the opposite. And because Manchester United’s expectation for keepers is sky-high, every high-profile blunder gets amplified.
Younger fans hopped in to post video compilations of Onana’s most recent howlers, while older ones reminisced about the days when United’s last line of defense felt invincible. At this point, the discussion isn’t just about one Europa League match—it’s about legacy and the pressure to live up to it in the modern era of football.
No matter how he responds on the pitch, Onana will find it hard to escape this goalkeeper controversy. The combination of Matic’s biting words, a live televised blunder, and non-stop online reactions has cast a harsh spotlight on United’s current number one. The tension between former teammates and the growing doubts among fans just make the upcoming second leg even more intense.