Ruben Amorim has played down the spat between Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana and former player Nemanja Matic after the latter called the Cameroon international “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history”.
The row erupted ahead of the Europa League quarter-final first-leg clash between United and Lyon following remarks Onana made that suggested his side were “way better” than their Ligue 1 opponents.
It prompted Lyon midfielder Matic, who played for the Red Devils between 2017 and 2022, to hit back at the 29-year-old, who then in turn responded on X with a dig at the Serbian’s trophy-less time at Old Trafford.
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
But on the eve of the game, Amorim, who confirmed Onana would start in goal, refused to be drawn into the exchange of unpleasantries, insisting it stemmed from a misunderstanding.
“If you see the full quote of Andre Onana, it is quite different,” the United boss said.
“The first sentence is that ‘Lyon is a very, very good team’. Sometimes the players don’t listen to the full quotes and it is just a misunderstanding. I know [Nemanja] Matic also, he is a great guy, so tomorrow is going to be a normal game.
“Again, if you look to all the quotes, you cannot see disrespect there, just respect. But to show confidence to his team.
“Everyone talks about bad things about Manchester United this year. Someone has to show some confidence in our team. I know Nemanja Matic really well and how good a guy he is. I think he has heard things by half.”
United’s trip to France will also see the return of Kobbie Mainoo to the squad following a two-month absence with a muscular injury.
And while Amorim emphasised the young midfielder’s quality, he admitted there was still room for improvement.
Amorim said: “When I see Kobbie, I see a lot of talent. But in the way I see it, I could be wrong.
“I see some things that Kobbie has to improve: his pace in the game. He needs to improve in the build-up. Near the box, he has a lot of talent and that is why I think he did a really good game in the Europa League in that position. But I don’t see a full player at the moment; he is 19. If I say I have seen the final player, I don’t think I am helping Kobbie.”
Read our full preview of Lyon v Manchester United here…
When asked about the importance of winning the Europa League, Amorim added: “It is really important in all aspects. The first one is to win a title, a European title. It will be nice for our confidence. Then to play in the Champions League in our club is completely different; the environment, the way we are going to face the summer, the budget for the summer, everything is connected with this competition.
“We know that pressure but again, it is not the biggest problem in United. We have other strengths to get this in the right way without Champions League next year.”
