Ruben Amorim cools war of words between Manchester United's Andre Onana and Lyon's Nemanja Matic - 'Not going to matter'
Updated 09/04/2025 at 23:17 GMT+1
Ruben Amorim has called Andre Onana's comments about Lyon "normal". The Manchester United goalkeeper provoked Lyon's Nemanja Matic after saying The Red Devils are "way better" than their French UEFA Europa League quarter-final opponents. Amorim believes there is no way his goalkeeper would look to disrespect Lyon, but insists the comments are "not going to matter" come kick-off on Thursday.
Amorim says Onana 'not disrespecting' Lyon, brushes off Matic 'worst goalkeeper' comments
Video credit: TNT Sports
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has weighed in on the row between his goalkeeper Andre Onana and Lyon's Nemanja Matic.
The pair have become embroiled in a war of words, after the Cameroon stopper said his side are "way better" than their UEFA Europa League quarter-final opponents.
That comment did not sit well with midfielder Matic, who branded Onana "one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's modern history."
The pair will come face-to-face when they meet at the Groupama Stadium on Thursday evening, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports, Amorim said: "The first thing is if you look through all the quotes of Andre Onana, he starts with one sentence, that they are a really good team.
"I think Andre just wanted to show the confidence that he has in his team. What I felt is, he's not, by far, one to disrespect the opponent.
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"Then if you ask any player of Lyon who they think are the best team, they will say Lyon. It's a normal thing.
"I know both players. I played with Nemanja Matic [at Benfica] and I am a coach of Andre Onana. They are really proud, but really good guys. It's just something that tomorrow is not going to matter."
The debate will soon be put to bed, as the two sides meet in their Europa League quarter-final tie.
And the last-eight clash could not be more crucial for United, as they sit in 13th place in the Premier League, 13 points off the top seven.
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‘One of the worst goalkeepers in Man Utd history’ – Matic’s brutal response to Onana claim
Video credit: SNTV
This tournament, therefore, is likely their only route into continental football for next season, with the winner qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
The Red Devils head into the fixture in France on the back of a 0-0 draw against Manchester City on Sunday.
That result means Amorim has still won just six of his 20 top-flight games at the Old Trafford helm.
He believes things are beginning to click with his players though, as he continued: "We'll improve with time. But you can see, sometimes it's not just the defence.
"Our team is more together now. If you look at the first games, you can feel the difference. Then players like [Alejandro] Garnacho, they are defending so much better.
"[Manuel] Ugarte, Casamiro, they improved a lot. These final games, he gave us maybe a little bit more stability in that area.
"You can see the way Rasmus [Hojlund] moves, and Josh [Zirkzee]. They defend, they press, they block the No. 6 sometimes. It's more a team thing than a defence thing."
Stream the 2024/25 Europa League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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