Nemanja Matic leaves fans stunned after violating Man Utd star with brutal comment ahead of Europa League quarter-final
Former Manchester United star Nemanja Matic has launched a stinging attack on goalkeeper Andre Onana, igniting tensions just days before a critical Europa League quarter-final clash between United and Lyon. With Manchester United set to face Lyon at the Groupama Stadium on Thursday, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Not only is it a vital step toward European silverware, but it may also represent the club’s last chance to secure a place in Europe next season. The pressure is mounting—and now, the war of words is adding even more fire to the build-up.
Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Onana exuded confidence, stating, “It’s going to be a tough match, but on paper, we’re the better team.” But that self-assurance didn’t sit well with Matic, who now plays for Lyon. When asked to respond, the Serbian midfielder didn’t hold back, delivering a scathing rebuttal: “If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history, you need to take care with what you’re saying. If De Gea, Van der Sar, or Schmeichel had said that, then maybe I’d question myself. But statistically, Onana is one of the worst goalkeepers in modern United history. He needs to prove himself before talking like that. We’ll see on Thursday.”
Fans erupted on social media after Matic’s blunt assessment, with many praising the veteran for his boldness. Comments like “Matic cooked” and “Onana isn’t recovering from this” spread quickly online, further stoking the flames of the upcoming clash. Onana, who joined United from Inter Milan in July 2023, has had a rocky spell at Old Trafford, recording just 23 clean sheets and conceding 137 goals in 93 matches. Despite this, he remains confident. “We have to go there and show who we are. If we stay compact and stick to the gameplan, we’ll win. It won’t be easy, but I think we’re way better than them,” he added.
As the pressure mounts on United manager Rúben Amorim, whose future could hinge on this competition, the showdown in France has taken on even more weight. While tactics and talent will decide the result on the pitch, the psychological battle has already begun. Thursday’s game promises to be fierce, with pride, reputation, and season-defining consequences hanging in the balance.
