Onana errors following brutal Matic criticism cost Man Utd as they draw with Lyon | OneFootball

The spotlight on Andre Onana has grown even brighter after a difficult evening in Lyon saw Man Utd concede a late equaliser in their Europa League quarter-final first leg.

United led 2-1 going into injury time after Joshua Zirkzee’s 88th minute header but Rayan Cherki scored in stoppage time to ensure Lyon go to Old Trafford for the second leg level at 2-2.

Lyon took an early lead through an Onana error, when Thiago Almada’s free-kick beat the goalkeeper too easily.

They equalised through Leny Yoro’s first goal for the club since signing last summer late into second-half stoppage time, when he reacted quickly to Manuel Ugarte’s shot at goal to divert the ball in.

But after Zirkzee had headed in from a delicate ball by Bruno Fernandes, Onana parried a shot straight into the path of Cherki who made no mistake from close range.

The pressure had already been on Onana leading into the game after some very public criticism from Lyon midfielder and former Man Utd star Nemanja Matic.

After Onana had stated that United were “way better” than Lyon ahead of the game, Matic responded by calling the Cameroonian “statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s modern history”.

“I respect everyone. But to say that, then you need to get the answer,” he said. “If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history you need to take care when you are talking.

“If David De Gea or Peter Schmeichel or van der Sar says that then I will question myself. But if you are statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s modern history then he needs to show that before he says it.”

United boss Ruben Amorim played down the feud ahead of the game, insisting Onana had meant no disrespect with his words and pointing out that he had also praised Lyon too.

But Onana’s response to Matic’s comments in which he appeared to take a dig at the veteran midfielder in return only added further fuel to the fire. On social media, he said: “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.”

The war of words meant Onana was met with a hostile reception in Lyon, with fans loudly booing him when he touched the ball.

United face Lyon at Old Trafford next Thursday, hoping that Onana’s mistakes in the first leg do not cost them as they look to progress to the semi-finals.