Paul Scholes delivers verdict on spat between Andre Onana and Nemanja Matic – as he suggests BOTH players were in the wrong before Man United’s Europa League clash with Lyon
Paul Scholes has given his verdict on the spat between Nemanja Matic and Andre Onana – and suggested both players were in the wrong.
The two stars, whose sides will do battle on Thursday night, indirectly clashed in the build-up to Manchester United versus Lyon in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final clash.
Matic took exception to Onana claiming Lyon are a ‘very good team’ but that ‘I think we are better than them’, branding the shot-stopper ‘one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history’.
Onana then took to social media to hit back himself, posting: ‘I would never be disrespectful to another club. We know that tomorrow will be a difficult game against a strong opponent. 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.’
Scholes has now given his take on the events, but didn’t back either players’ corner in terms of the disagreement.
Paul Scholes has given his verdict on the spat between Andre Onana (pictured) and Nemanja Matic
Matic (pictured) branded Onana ‘one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history’
Scholes said he would not have said ruffled the feathers, but said Matic ‘overreacted’
‘I don’t think it was something I would have done, try and provoke a team by saying you ae better than them,’ the former Man United midfielder said on TNT Sports of Onana’s comments. ‘It’s not wise, but they have to perform.
‘Matic overreacted slightly, it was a bit aggressive, but I don’t mind a bit of needle.’
Karen Carney added: ‘I am gutted he’s not starting but Onana has to step up and make sure he comes away with a clean sheet, he went up to check the net and fans were giving him stick, he needs a solid performance to back it up.’
The pair have never played together, but it comes amid scrutiny of Onana following a series high-profile errors since joining United in 2023 for £47million from Inter Milan.
Matic spent five seasons at Old Trafford, accumulating 189 appearances, although he was unable to build on the two Premier League titles, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup that he won with Chelsea.
Onana, meanwhile, has won both domestic cups once so far, and could add the Europa League to that haul.
According to Opta, Onana has the worst clean sheet percentage and the second-worst save percentage of any United goalkeeper to have played 900+ minutes since the 2003-04 season.
The Cameroonian, who received a hostile reception when warming up in Lyon and was then at fault for Lyon’s opening goal, has conceded 99 goals in 69 Premier League appearances, saved 70.1 per cent of the shots he has faced, and kept a clean sheet just 18 times – a 26.1 percentage.
Onana received a hostile reception when he headed out to warm-up before the game in Lyon
Onana has the worst clean sheet percentage and the second-worst save percentage of any United goalkeeper to have played 900+ minutes since 2003-04
Only Anders Lindegaard has a worse save percentage among the group of goalkeepers.
United sit 13th in the Premier League and are on course for their worst-ever finish since the top flight’s rebrand in 1992.
Lyon, meanwhile, sit fifth in Ligue 1 and could easily finish as high as second, although there have been concerns over their financial situation.
