Andre Onana was swift to respond to Nemanja Matic’s jibe that he was “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history” and pointed to the Lyon midfielder’s lack of success during his time at Old Trafford.

The row erupted earlier this afternoon when Matic was asked to respond to remarks Onana made on Sunday in which he suggested United were “way better” than Lyon ahead of tomorrow night’s Europa League quarter-final, first leg clash between the sides in France.

🗣️ "If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man Utd history, you need to take care"

Nemanja Matić has hit back at Andre Onana after the United keeper said that they are "way better" than their Europa League opponents Lyon 🔴 pic.twitter.com/jYDWgyprVG

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 9, 2025

Matic issues brutal response to Onana

Matic’s reply was brutal with the former United midfielder saying: “When you say that you need to have cover [proof] for something like that.

“I respect everyone but to say that, you need to give an answer.

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

“If David De Gea or Peter Schmeichel or [Edwin] Van der Sar said that I would question myself but if you are one of the statistically worst goalkeepers in Man United’s modern history, he needs to show that before he says [anything].”

The quotes immediately hit the headlines and Onana took little time to respond. Posting on X prior to United’s flight to France this afternoon, the Cameroonian wrote: “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.”

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. pic.twitter.com/3easLRIz3d

— Andre Onana (@AndreyOnana) April 9, 2025

Matic failed to win a trophy at United

Matic made almost 200 appearances for United in a five-year spell that ended in 2022 but failed to win a trophy, prompting Onana to add: “At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same.”

Onana won the FA Cup with United in 2024 following his £43.8 million signing from Ajax 12 months earlier.

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The Cameroonian has failed to convince at Old Trafford and has been guilty of several high-profile errors.

Nevertheless, he was in bullish mood when he spoke to reporters following Sunday’s drab goalless draw with Manchester City.

What did Onana say?

“We all know the importance of this game, so we will go there with a winning mentality,” Onana said.

“It’s not our best season, but we still have something big to win, so we will go for it.

“It’s a very good team; we know some of them, but I don’t think we have to focus about them. It’s more about us, what we’re going to do.”

Read our full preview of Lyon v Manchester United here…

He added: “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, we stay compact 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.”