In the aftermath of Manchester United’s recent 2-2 draw with Lyon in the UEFA Europa League, manager Ruben Amorim has taken a supportive stance towards his goalkeeper, Andre Onana. The match, which unfolded at the Groupama Stadium, proved to be a challenging night for Onana, marred by two significant errors that led to crucial goals for the French side. The first mistake occurred when a free-kick delivery from Thiago Almada slipped past him, handing Lyon an early lead. Later, he allowed a shot to directly rebound into the path of Rayan Cherki, who calmly equalized late in the game, thus salvaging a draw for Lyon, managed by Paulo Fonseca.
Following the match, Onana found himself under intense scrutiny, especially as former United midfielder Nemanja Matic had controversially labeled him as “statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history.” In response to the criticism, Onana remained defiant, asserting that he would “never be disrespectful to another club” and highlighted his achievements by stating, “at least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world.” This exchange marked a culmination of pressure for the Cameroonian shot-stopper, as he had come into the match with heightened expectations.
Despite the missteps that cost Manchester United a potentially advantageous position heading into the second leg at Old Trafford, Amorim voiced unwavering support for Onana during his post-match comments. Speaking to TNT Sports, he expressed his belief in Onana’s abilities, underscoring that mistakes are a part of football. Amorim remarked, “There’s nothing I can say to Andre in this moment that will help him,” indicating an understanding of the emotional burden a player carries after making such errors. He emphasized the need to maintain naturalness and affirmed his confidence in Onana’s capabilities moving forward.
In a moment of self-reflection, Amorim indicated that he had made equal or greater mistakes in his coaching career compared to Onana’s blunders. “If you play football, a lot of games, you can make mistakes,” he remarked, stressing the importance of focusing on learning from those errors. He suggested that reviewing the goals conceded and consulting with the goalkeeping coaches would be the most constructive approach to aid Onana’s development and confidence.
Throughout the match, Manchester United exhibited signs of improvement in their attacking play, managing to score two goals after a period of struggle in front of the net. Leny Yoro’s header brought the team back to parity, and Joshua Zirkzee’s introduction off the bench led to what appeared to be a decisive goal in the 87th minute. However, Onana’s subsequent error allowed Cherki to equalize, leaving the tie delicately balanced as they prepared to return to Manchester.
Should United progress to the semi-finals, they are set to encounter the victor of the tie between Athletic Bilbao and Rangers, who played to a stalemate in their draw. On the other hand, Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur experienced their own season of ups and downs, needing a spark from Pedro Porro to secure a 1-1 draw at home against Eintracht Frankfurt. Manager Ange Postecoglou’s squad faces a challenging trip to Germany in their quest to advance.
As the match analysis shows, the road to the Europa League final is fraught with challenges for Manchester United. The reliance on Onana will remain a focus, particularly as the team seeks to stabilize its defense while continuing to find its offensive rhythm. The upcoming fixtures will be pivotal as the club aims to improve its standings both in Europe and domestically. Streamed live on TNT Sports and discovery+, the ongoing tournament is sure to keep supporters on the edge of their seats as the drama unfolds.
