The ongoing drama between Nemanja Matic and Andre Onana has caught the attention of many, with Manchester United legend Paul Scholes offering his thoughts on the matter.
The two players, who will soon face off in the Europa League quarter-final, have been at odds in recent days, and Scholes has given his take on the dispute.
The Origins of the Conflict
The tension started when Onana made some bold comments about Lyon in the build-up to Thursday night’s match between Manchester United and Lyon.
He described Lyon as a “very good team” but added that he believes Manchester United is “better than them.”
Matic, not taking kindly to Onana’s confidence, quickly responded, calling the goalkeeper “one of the worst” to have ever played for the club.
This sparked an online back-and-forth, with Onana taking to social media to defend himself.
“I would never be disrespectful to another club,” Onana wrote, but he added a pointed remark about his own trophy-laden career, saying, “At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same.”
Scholes Offers His Verdict
Now, Scholes has weighed in on the incident, sharing his perspective on both players’ actions.
The former Manchester United midfielder expressed that Onana’s comments were provocative, but he also pointed out that it wasn’t the wisest move.
“It’s not something I would have done, trying to provoke a team by saying you’re better than them,” Scholes stated on TNT Sports. “But they have to perform.”
However, Scholes also mentioned that Matic’s response may have been a bit over-the-top. “Matic overreacted slightly,” Scholes noted.
“It was a bit aggressive, but I don’t mind a bit of needle.”
Scholes clearly isn’t taking sides, but rather acknowledging the competitiveness that comes with high-stakes football.
The Pressure on Onana
While Scholes discussed the on-field tensions, Karen Carney also gave her thoughts on Onana’s upcoming performance.
With some fans expressing disappointment over the goalkeeper’s recent errors, Carney pointed out the pressure Onana faces to step up and deliver a strong performance against Lyon.
“Onana has to step up and make sure he comes away with a clean sheet,” Carney said, noting that the goalkeeper had received a fair share of criticism from fans, especially after his mistake in the previous match.
The Bigger Picture: Onana’s Struggles at United
The ongoing scrutiny of Onana’s performances at Manchester United comes amid a series of high-profile errors since his £47 million transfer from Inter Milan in 2023.
According to Opta, Onana has the worst clean sheet percentage and the second-worst save percentage of any United goalkeeper who has played 900+ minutes since the 2003-04 season.
Despite this, he remains a key figure for the club.
United fans have been growing increasingly frustrated, especially given the team’s struggles in the Premier League.
Sitting 13th in the league, United is on track for their worst finish since the league rebranded in 1992.
Meanwhile, Lyon has been performing better in Ligue 1, sitting fifth and still in contention for a top-two finish, despite facing financial difficulties.
What’s at Stake for Onana and United
As Manchester United prepares for the Europa League clash against Lyon, the pressure is mounting on both Onana and the team.
With United’s current form, a strong performance in Europe could provide a much-needed boost to morale and help the club salvage something from a challenging season.
For Onana, this match is an opportunity to prove his worth and silence the critics who have been questioning his place in the starting lineup.
