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André Onana endured another nightmare night as Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw by Lyon in the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first leg, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of next week’s second leg at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper was at fault for both Lyon goals, one in each half, drawing fresh criticism from pundits and fans alike. But manager Ruben Amorim has thrown his full support behind the keeper, even admitting that he has made more mistakes than Onana in recent months.
How Onana Was at Fault in Man Utd vs Lyon
Onana’s first error came in the 25th minute, when he failed to deal with Thiago Almada’s curling free-kick. Reacting slowly, he anticipated a deflection from a Lyon player that never came, allowing the ball to bounce just before him and slip through his gloves into the net.
United recovered from the setback to take a 2-1 lead, but Onana’s second mistake came deep into stoppage time, as he spilled a low shot from Georges Mikautadze, leaving Rayan Cherki with a simple tap-in.
Ruben Amorim Defends His Goalkeeper
Despite the blunders, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, appointed in November, refused to scapegoat Onana.
“If you look at the season, I’ve made more mistakes than them in recent months,” Amorim said post-match.
“There’s nothing I can say to André in this moment that will help him. The best thing is to be natural, analyze the goals, and choose the best XI for the next game. But I’m really confident in André.”
Amorim also emphasized a team-wide approach to accountability, stating, “When one player has a mistake, all the team has a mistake.”
United’s Europa League Hopes Hang in the Balance
With Manchester United 13th in the Premier League, the Europa League represents their best chance to secure European football next season, as its winner is granted a Champions League spot.
They now host Lyon on April 18 in a decisive second leg at Old Trafford, needing a win to progress to the semifinals.
Nemanja Matic Calls Out Onana: The Pre-Match Controversy
Adding fuel to the fire, Onana was involved in a war of words with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic just 24 hours before kickoff.
- Matic called Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history”
- The Serbian midfielder, now at Lyon, made the comments after Onana said “United are way better than Lyon”
- Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca denied any tactical intent, calling the feud “normal football talk”
Onana’s Stats Raise More Questions
The stats don’t favor Onana:
- Since the start of last season, Onana has made 8 errors leading to goals, the most among Premier League goalkeepers
- He has the worst minutes-per-goal-conceded ratio among all United keepers with 10+ Premier League appearances
- However, Opta ranks Onana second in goals prevented this season — behind only Jordan Pickford
These contrasting numbers highlight the inconsistency that has plagued his United stint.
Expert Opinions: Team “Fuming” at Onana’s Mistakes
Former England international Aaron Lennon, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, didn’t hold back:
“They’re two massive mistakes. He has to save both. He’s cost United today.”
The atmosphere around Onana is becoming increasingly hostile, with reports that even teammates are losing confidence.
Can Onana Recover Before the Second Leg at Old Trafford?
The Man Utd vs Lyon draw leaves Manchester United with everything to play for at home. But all eyes will be on André Onana — not just for his performance, but for how he handles the mounting pressure.
While Ruben Amorim’s public support offers him a lifeline, the road to redemption starts next Thursday under the lights at Old Trafford.
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