In a tense Europa League quarter-final match, Manchester United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana faced criticism after errors led to a 2-2 draw against Lyon. The result leaves the tie on a knife-edge ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford next Thursday.
Key Moments:
- Early Setback: United fell behind after just 25 minutes when Lyon capitalized on an Onana mistake. The goalkeeper couldn’t manage a strong enough save from Thiago Almada’s wide free-kick, allowing Lyon to take the lead.
- United’s Fightback: Just before halftime, a quick reaction from United’s Leny Yoro saw the youngster divert Manuel Ugarte’s volley into the bottom corner, leveling the score.
- Late Drama: United thought they had secured a late win when Joshua Zirkzee headed in a Bruno Fernandes cross in the 88th minute. However, in the game’s dying moments, Onana spilled a shot from Georges Mikautadze, allowing Rayan Cherki to equalize for Lyon.
Criticism and Context:
Lyon’s substitute, Nemanja Matic, didn’t hold back, labeling Onana as “one of the worst keepers” in Manchester United’s history. This remark came after Onana claimed his team was superior to Lyon. Despite constant boos from the home fans whenever Onana was on the ball, Lyon’s first goal exposed his apparent indecision. With this latest mishap, Onana has now made eight errors leading to goals since last season, the most for any Premier League goalkeeper.
United’s Performance Overview:
Currently sitting 13th in the Premier League, United’s hopes of securing European football next season heavily rely on their Europa League journey. The team showed flashes of being the better side but struggled with finishing chances throughout the match. Strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho seemed to lack confidence, with the former scoring only once in his last 25 United appearances and the latter once in 28 games.
What’s Next:
United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, hopes for a turnaround in form as the decisive second leg approaches. The clash at Old Trafford will determine who advances to the semi-finals. With mixed performances and mounting pressure, all eyes will be on Manchester United and their embattled goalkeeper Andre Onana to see if they can rise to the occasion.
Stay tuned for the return leg as Manchester United host Lyon, slated for next
Source: https://www.bbc.com/
