Man Utd fans spot what Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood did after Andre Onana’s row with Nemanja Matic

Manchester United Supporters Observe Telling Reactions from Current and Former Stars Following Onana-Matic Spat and On-Field Errors

The recent Europa League quarter-final first leg clash between Manchester United and Lyon was not only a captivating encounter on the pitch, ending in a dramatic 2-2 draw, but it also provided a fascinating subplot involving a pre-match war of words between current United goalkeeper Andre Onana and former Red Devils midfielder Nemanja Matic, now plying his trade with the French outfit.¹ This off-field drama, coupled with Onana’s costly errors during the game, led to keen observations from Manchester United fans regarding the reactions of both current and former club stars.

Pre-Match Jousting: Matic’s Critical Remark Ignites Onana’s Trophy-Laden Retort

The build-up to the Europa League tie was unexpectedly ignited when Nemanja Matic, who conducted the pre-match press conference for Lyon, responded to a previous remark made by Andre Onana suggesting that Manchester United were the superior team. Matic’s retort was blunt and direct, reportedly labeling Onana as “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history.”² This scathing assessment set the stage for a fiery exchange between the two players, albeit indirectly.

Onana’s Swift and Pointed Social Media Rebuttal

Andre Onana, known for his confidence and sometimes outspoken nature, did not take Matic’s criticism lying down.³ The Cameroonian goalkeeper swiftly took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to issue a sharp response to the Serbian midfielder.⁴ In his statement, Onana pointedly brought up Matic’s lack of trophy success during his time at Manchester United, stating, “At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world.⁵ Some can’t say the same.” This retort, while assertive, would soon take on an ironic twist due to the events that unfolded during the match.

Onana’s Costly Errors in the Draw Against Lyon: Irony Not Lost on Observers

The highly anticipated first leg against Lyon at the Groupama Stadium ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw, a result that left Manchester United with work to do in the return fixture at Old Trafford.⁶ However, the outcome was significantly influenced by two costly errors from Andre Onana.⁷ The goalkeeper spilled a shot late in the game, allowing Rayan Cherki to snatch a 95th-minute equalizer for Lyon.⁸ This late concession came after Onana had also been at fault for Lyon’s first goal, leading to widespread criticism and prompting many to recall his pre-match exchange with Matic.

Matic’s Unused Substitute Role and Post-Match Reunion with United Staff

Interestingly, Nemanja Matic was an unused substitute for Lyon during the match and did not appear to have any direct interaction with Andre Onana on the pitch. However, the veteran midfielder’s involvement in the narrative did not end with the final whistle. Following the game, Matic was seen in the Lyon dressing room in the company of several members of Manchester United’s staff, individuals with whom he had forged strong relationships during his tenure at Old Trafford.⁹

Matic’s Social Media Post Sparks Reactions from Current and Former United Stars

Matic subsequently shared a photograph of this reunion on his Instagram account, accompanied by a caption that read, “Nice to see my brothers again.” This seemingly innocuous post, however, garnered significant attention from Manchester United fans as it was quickly noticed that several prominent current and former players had liked the image. Among those who acknowledged Matic’s post were current Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa after reportedly falling out of favor with manager Ruben Amorim.¹⁰

Former United Stalwarts Also Show Their Support for Matic

The engagement with Matic’s post extended beyond current players, with several former Manchester United stars also showing their appreciation for the midfielder’s reunion with the club’s staff. The likes of David De Gea, who recently departed the club, along with Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams, and Alvaro Fernandez, all acknowledged Matic’s social media activity, further highlighting the strong bonds that persist between former players and the club’s personnel.

Matic’s Second Social Media Post Features Subtle Dig at Onana

Adding another layer of intrigue to the situation, Nemanja Matic also shared a second post on his Instagram story, which appeared to contain a subtle dig aimed at Andre Onana.¹¹ This post featured a picture of Matic’s son, Filip, posing alongside an array of shirts from his father’s former teammates, including the jerseys of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Amad.

The Telling Inclusion of Tom Heaton’s Goalkeeper Shirt

However, what caught the attention of Manchester United fans was the fact that Matic’s son was prominently posing with the goalkeeper shirt of Tom Heaton, who currently serves as Manchester United’s third-choice goalkeeper. The absence of Andre Onana’s shirt in the collection, particularly in light of the recent exchange between Matic and Onana, was widely interpreted as a deliberate and subtle jab at the current United number one.

Onana Faces Heavy Criticism for Costly Mistakes This Season

Andre Onana’s performance against Lyon, marked by two significant errors that directly led to goals for the opposition, has only intensified the criticism that the goalkeeper has faced throughout the current season.¹² These mistakes brought his tally of errors leading directly to goals conceded this season to a concerning nine, raising further questions about his consistency and reliability between the posts for Manchester United.

Manager Amorim Offers Measured Defense of Onana After Lyon Draw

Despite the glaring errors committed by his goalkeeper, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim refrained from publicly criticizing Andre Onana after the draw against Lyon.¹³ Instead, Amorim offered a more measured assessment, stating, “When one game has a mistake the whole team has a mistake,” suggesting a collective responsibility for the dropped points.¹⁴

Amorim Expresses Continued Faith in Onana, Dismissing Dropping Speculation

When directly asked if he would consider dropping Andre Onana from the starting lineup in light of his recent errors, Amorim firmly dismissed the suggestion. “No, we’ll continue to do the same thing in training, seeing the game and trying to choose the best eleven to win every match,” the manager asserted, indicating his continued faith in Onana’s abilities and his intention to stand by the goalkeeper.

Implications of the Draw for Manchester United’s Europa League Ambitions

The 2-2 draw against Lyon leaves Manchester United with a degree of uncertainty heading into the second leg at Old Trafford. While securing an away draw in European competition is often considered a decent result, the manner in which the goals were conceded, particularly the late equalizer due to Onana’s error, will undoubtedly leave a sense of frustration within the United camp.

Matic’s Enduring Connection with Manchester United Fans and Staff

Nemanja Matic, despite departing Manchester United to join Roma and subsequently Lyon, clearly maintains strong relationships with his former colleagues at Old Trafford. His post-match interaction with the United staff and the positive reactions from current and former players highlight the respect and camaraderie he fostered during his time at the club.

Engagement of Former Players Underscores Lasting Bonds with the Club

The acknowledgment of Matic’s post by former players like Mason Greenwood and David De Gea is particularly noteworthy. Despite their departures from the club under varying circumstances, their continued engagement with figures associated with Manchester United suggests that the bonds formed during their time at Old Trafford remain strong.

Scrutiny on Onana’s Performances Intensifies Amidst Costly Errors

Andre Onana’s performances for Manchester United this season have come under intense scrutiny, with a series of high-profile errors leading to dropped points in crucial matches.¹⁵ The goalkeeper, who arrived with a reputation for being a ball-playing shot-stopper, has struggled to consistently replicate the form he showed during his time at Inter Milan.

The Crucial Role of a Goalkeeper and the Impact of Mistakes

The goalkeeper occupies a unique and pivotal role within a football team, and errors committed by the last line of defense often carry significant consequences. Onana’s mistakes this season have been particularly costly for Manchester United, leading to increased pressure on both the player and the manager.¹⁶

Conclusion: Onana’s Errors and Matic’s Subtle Retaliation Fuel Fan Discussion

The saga involving Andre Onana and Nemanja Matic, punctuated by Onana’s costly errors against Lyon and Matic’s subtle social media retaliation, has provided Manchester United fans with plenty to discuss and analyze. The reactions of current and former players to Matic’s posts offer a glimpse into the dynamics within the footballing world and the enduring bonds that connect individuals to their former clubs. As Manchester United prepare for the crucial second leg against Lyon, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on Andre Onana and his ability to bounce back from his recent mistakes.