Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has brushed off the brewing tension between goalkeeper André Onana and Lyon’s Nemanja Matic as a simple “misunderstanding,” aiming to shift focus back to Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first-leg tie against Lyon. The spat, which erupted earlier this week, has dominated headlines, but Amorim insists it won’t derail his team’s preparations for the crucial match at the Groupama Stadium.
The controversy ignited when Onana, speaking after United’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, declared that his side was “way better” than Lyon, despite prefacing his remarks with praise for the French outfit. “It’s not going to be easy, but I think we are way better than them,” Onana said, intending to boost morale amid United’s dismal 13th-place standing in the Premier League. However, his words caught the attention of Matic, a former United midfielder now with Lyon, who hit back with a venomous critique on Wednesday.
Matic, who made 189 appearances for United between 2017 and 2022, didn’t pull punches. “If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history, you need to take care about what you’re talking about,” he said during a pre-match press conference, citing Onana’s error-strewn record since joining from Inter Milan in 2023. “If David De Gea, Peter Schmeichel, or Edwin van der Sar said that, I would question myself. But he needs to show it before he speaks.”
Onana, never one to shy away from a fight, responded on X with a thinly veiled dig at Matic’s trophyless stint at United. “At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same,” he posted, referencing his FA Cup win last season. The exchange sent social media into a frenzy, with fans on X split between those backing Onana’s bravado and others agreeing with Matic’s harsh assessment.
Stepping into the fray, Amorim sought to douse the flames during his own press conference on Wednesday. “If you see the full quote of André Onana, it’s quite different,” he said. “The first sentence is that Lyon is a very, very good team. Sometimes players or coaches don’t listen to the full quotes. It’s just a misunderstanding. I know Matic—he’s a great guy. Tomorrow, Onana is going to play, and it will be a normal game.” The Portuguese manager, who once played alongside Matic at Benfica, emphasized that Onana’s comments were meant to instill confidence, not disrespect.
The timing of the row couldn’t be worse for United, who are clinging to the Europa League as their last shot at silverware and a Champions League berth next season. Lyon, riding a wave of six wins in their last seven matches, pose a stern test, and Matic’s presence in midfield only heightens the stakes. Yet Amorim remains unfazed, confirming Onana will start and dismissing any notion of lingering friction. “Tomorrow, it will not matter,” he added. “There’s no disrespect in the quotes—just respect, but trying to show confidence in his team, especially in this year when everyone talks badly about Manchester United.”