Andre Onana Ripped by Ex-Teammate Over Club Performances
Andre Onana Slammed by Matic Ahead of Europa League Clash
In a tense build-up to Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final tie against Lyon, former Red Devils midfielder Nemanja Matic has stirred controversy by calling Andre Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers in the club’s history.” The Serbian, now playing for Lyon, made the remarks in response to Onana’s confident claim that United are “way better” than their French opponents.
Matic Fires Back at Onana’s Comments
Speaking to media ahead of the match, Matic didn’t hold back.
“If you are one of the worst keepers in Manchester United history, you need to take care,” Matic said. “If David de Gea, Peter Schmeichel, or Edwin van der Sar said that, I would question myself. But Onana? He needs to prove himself before speaking.”
This exchange has become a trending topic in both African sport and African news, especially as Onana represents one of Africa’s top goalkeeping exports.
Onana Responds: “At Least I’ve Won Trophies”
Onana, 29, didn’t shy away from defending himself. The Cameroon international reminded critics of his immediate success at Old Trafford.
“I would never be disrespectful to another club… But at least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same,” Onana stated.
Breaking Down Onana’s Manchester United Record
Since his £43.8 million move from Inter Milan in 2023, Onana has played 93 games, conceded 137 goals, and kept 23 clean sheets—an average of 1.47 goals conceded per game. Nine of those clean sheets have come in the current Premier League season, despite United sitting 13th in the table.
According to Opta stats, Onana ranks second in the league for goals prevented, with 7.5 fewer goals conceded than expected—only behind Jordan Pickford. This statistic has been widely reported in African news outlets as a sign of his true quality.
Critics Highlight High-Profile Mistakes
Despite statistical strengths, Onana’s tenure hasn’t been free of criticism. He made costly errors during United’s poor Champions League run last season. This year, only three Premier League keepers have made more errors leading directly to goals.
How Does Onana Compare to United Legends?
Onana’s clean sheet percentage and save rate place him below several former United keepers. He concedes a goal every 63 minutes on average—the worst among United’s Premier League-era goalkeepers. In contrast, club greats like Van der Sar and Schmeichel averaged over 100 minutes per goal conceded.
Additionally, only Raimond van der Gouw ranks lower than Onana in clean sheet percentage. These figures fuel ongoing debates in African sport circles about his standing among the continent’s elite goalkeepers.
A Polarizing Figure in a Struggling Team
It’s worth noting that Onana is playing for a Manchester United team widely described as one of the club’s worst in history. In January, head coach Ruben Amorim called the squad “maybe the worst” in 147 years. This context matters, especially in discussions across African news platforms that are closely watching Onana’s journey.
Don’t miss out on the latest updates. Stay updated with African News & Sports with The Sisters Show. Get all the details and never miss a beat!
