Lyon vs Man United: Ruben Amorim Defends Onana After Europa League Blunders
Lyon vs Man United: In Manchester United’s Europa League, hopes remain finely poised after a dramatic 2-2 draw away at Lyon. Despite taking the lead late in the game, the Red Devils were held back due to two significant errors by goalkeeper Andre Onana.
⚽ Lyon vs Man United Match Summary:
- Final Score: Lyon 2-2 Manchester United
- Venue: Groupama Stadium
- Date: Thursday, [Insert Date]
- Next Leg: Thursday, 20:00 BST at Old Trafford
- Competition: UEFA Europa League (Quarterfinal, First Leg)
Onana Under Fire After Costly Mistakes
The spotlight intensified on Andre Onana following recent criticism from ex-United star Nemanja Matic, who described him as “statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history.” Onana’s performance did little to dispel the scrutiny.
United fell behind in the 25th minute when Onana misjudged a swerving free-kick from Thiago Almada. The ball bounced awkwardly and slipped through his gloves. In stoppage time, he spilled a routine shot from Mikautadze, allowing Cherki to tap in the equalizer.
“They’re two massive mistakes. He’s got to save both of them in my opinion. He’s cost United today.” — Aaron Lennon, BBC Radio 5 Live
🎧 Ruben Amorim Shields His Keeper
Despite the glaring errors, United boss Ruben Amorim, who took charge in November, defended his goalkeeper and assumed responsibility.
“If you look at the season, I’ve made more mistakes than them in these last games and months,” Amorim said.
“There’s nothing I can say to Andre right now that would help. We’ll keep working and training. When the time comes, I’ll pick the best XI.”
His comments reflect leadership and a desire to foster unity in the squad ahead of a crucial second leg.
📊 Top 5 Man United Goalkeeper Stats (Premier League Since 2003)
| Goalkeeper | Minutes Played | Saves/90 | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Onana | 6,210 | 3.4 | 70.1% |
| Dean Henderson | 1,125 | 3.2 | 76.5% |
| David de Gea | 37,289 | 2.8 | 72.0% |
| Edwin van der Sar | 16,591 | 2.5 | 76.1% |
| Tomasz Kuszczak | 2,802 | 2.7 | 80.6% |
🧴 Onana leads in saves per match but trails in overall save percentage.
🗬️ Fan Reactions
Social media had mixed reactions after the match:
- “Onana is a great shot-stopper, but his confidence looks shaken.”
- “Matic might have had a point. That was tough to watch.”
- “Let’s not forget he made some key saves too.”
🗓️ What’s Next? Lyon vs Man United Second Leg Preview
Manchester United will host Lyon at Old Trafford next Thursday. With the tie finely balanced at 2-2, Amorim’s men must find a win to advance to the semifinals and keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive via the Europa League.
🧠 Tactical Watch:
- Will Amorim continue with Onana in goal or opt for a change?
- Can United make home advantage count?
Expect a tense and tactical showdown under the lights at the Theatre of Dreams.
