Andre Onana has hit back after Nemanja Matic called him "one of the worst goalkeepers Manchester United's history", highlighting the Lyon midfielder's trophyless spell at Old Trafford in a spicy build-up to Thursday's Europa League clash.
Ruben Amorim's team travel to face the French side for the first leg of their quarterfinal, battling to rescue a dismal season.
Cameroon international Onana said after Sunday's 0-0 draw against Manchester City that overcoming Lyon, fifth in Ligue 1, was "not going to be easy, but I think we are way better than them".
That bullish remark was put to the normally understated Matic on the eve of the match.
"You know, I respect everyone but to say that then you need to give the answer," said the Serbia international, who also had a spell with Chelsea in the Premier League.
"If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United's history, you need to take care of what you are talking (about).
"If David de Gea or Peter Schmeichel or (Edwin) Van der Sar said that, then I would question myself.
"But if you're one of the statistically worst goalkeepers in Man United's modern history, then he needs to show that before he says (anything). We will see."
🗣️ "If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man Utd history, you need to take care"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 9, 2025
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
TROPHY DIG
Onana then posted a response on social media, having a dig at Matic, who did not win a trophy during his time at United, though he collected silverware while he was at Chelsea.
"I would never be disrespectful to another club. We know that tomorrow will be a difficult game against a strong opponent," said the Cameroon international.
"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."
I would never be disrespectful to another club. We know that tomorrow will be a difficult game against a strong opponent.
— Andre Onana (@AndreyOnana) April 9, 2025
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
United paid around £47 million ($60 million) to sign Onana from Inter Milan in 2023 as a replacement for De Gea and he won the FA Cup in his first season.
Only two goalkeepers have kept more clean sheets than his total of nine this season in the Premier League and he is capable of spectacular saves.
But the 29-year-old has made several costly errors during his United career and his reliability continues to be questioned.
Despite his sharp words about Onana, Matic said he "will always keep United in my heart" and hopes they eventually turn things around under former Benfica teammate Amorim.
The midfielder is grateful to the United manager for helping him settle in Portugal and believes he can succeed at Old Trafford with the right support.
"In football today people don't have time but I'm sure he's the right profile," he said. "He's a young coach, with lots of energy. He needs support.
"It's hard in the Premier League if things are not right. It's so difficult to turn things (around) in a short period, but step by step I believe that he can do very good. But I hope that he will not start tomorrow."
Amorim attempted to defuse the tension between Onana and Matic, saying the goalkeeper's comments had been taken out of context.
"Tomorrow it will not matter," said Amorim. "If you see the full quote of Andre Onana, it's quite different.
"The first sentence is Lyon is a very, very good team, so I think sometimes the players or coaches don't listen to the full quotes.
"Sometimes it's just a misunderstanding."
United's dour 0-0 draw with City at the weekend left them languishing in 13th place in the Premier League – on track for their worst league finish for at least 35 years.
The Europa League offers them their only route back into Europe next season.
Failure to win the trophy in Bilbao next month would have severe repercussions for a club already struggling financially.