Sport

André Onana fires back after ex-Man United star calls him ‘one of their worst goalkeepers ever’

Was not expecting this beef.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 9th April 2025

Goalkeeper André Onana has fired back at former Manchester United player Nemanja Matić after he labelled the 29-year-old “one of the worst goalkeepers” the club has ever had.

The comment didn’t come out of nowhere, just to clarify, but still – yikes…

With Matić now playing for Olympique Lyonnais, a.k.a. Lyon, the club Man United will be facing in their season-defining Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night, the Serbian international was responding to recent comments made by Onana that the Red Devils were comfortably the stronger side.

The Cameroonian keeper said ahead of the first leg: “Of course, it’s not going to be easy, but I think we are way better than them”. To which Matić had this to say…

As you can see, Ex-United midfielder Matić didn’t hold back when sharing his own thoughts on this particular member of his former club, very much calling on the ‘people in glass houses’ adage.

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Despite insisting that he “respect[s] everyone”, he did go on to add that “if you are one of the, statistically, worst goalkeepers in Man United‘s modern history then, you know, he needs to show that [he up their with the better shotstoppers] before he says [things like that].”

Onana has been a divisive figure since he replaced David de Gea, who has since gone on to enjoy a bit of a renaissance over in Serie A and has even had his contract at Fiorentina extended following several impressive performances.

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The now 36-year-old holding midfielder left Old Trafford back in 2022 after being brought to the club by Jose Mourinho; he ultimately went on to join Roma in the summer before moving to Rennes and, most recently, Lyon last year.

Having shared an Instagram story of himself simply laughing in training, Onana also decided to write a brief post addressing the situation without responding to the former Red directly.

It seems the United number one (well, technically no. 24) seemed to be suggesting that no offence was intended, but he ultimately signed off by adding his own dig: “At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same.”

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While it is true that Matić didn’t lift win silverware during his time at Manchester United, many fans were keen to point out that he did win multiple Premier League titles and domestic cups with Chelsea.

Nevertheless, the virtual spat has made for plenty of entertainment ahead of what is a huge game for both clubs, not least of all Ruben Amorim‘s side, who are staring down one of their worst seasons on record. Safe to say a trophy would be a big tonic during a turbulent time at the club.

Whether or not it’s just a bit of harmless trash talk ahead of an extremely competitive fixture, moments like this still feel fairly few and fair between in football these days. We can’t wait to see what might happen when the two meet on the pitch.

You can see Matić’s pre-match press conference ahead of taking on his old employers in a crucial knockout tie in full down below:

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Featured Images — Ardfern/Happiraphael/Franco237 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sport

Kyle Walker set to leave Manchester City on a free transfer with at least two clubs monitoring

Danny Jones Danny Jones Kyle Walker leaving Manchester City for Everton on a free transfer update

Kyle Walker looks to be leaving Manchester City after the best part of eight years and could be set to join another Premier League club if reports are to be believed.

The long-serving Man City and England defender has been at the Etihad Stadium throughout the most successful spell, but has gradually fallen out of favour with Pep Guardiola of late.

Walker regularly played more than 30 games per campaign under the Catalan coach for seven years, but was ultimately loaned out to AC Milan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, where he made just over a dozen appearances.

Despite being one of the first names on the team sheet for the longest time, the Sheffield-born full-back has grown to become somewhat of a divisive figure among the fan base. As a result, he is now preparing to find a new club with his contract expiring this summer, and Everton is said to be interested.

This transfer update comes from Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath, who writes that the Merseyside club have identified Walker as a possibility, with David Moyes looking to recruit additions to his backline.

According to McGrath, “Kyle Walker [is] seen as a potential signing for Everton this summer with David Moyes looking at signing a right-back”, adding that the departure of former Aston Villa and Manchester United player, Ashley Young, as well as Jack O’Brien’s ability to play central makes it a viable option.

Were he to be picked up by the often struggling top-flight team, the 35-year-old would be yet another senior appointment to bolster the defensive ranks, effectively replacing Young (38).

The Toffees have flirted with the relegation zone in recent times, but with previously popular manager Moyes having returned to the club and now set to begin a maiden chapter at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Bramley Moore Dock, the first division veteran and serial winner could be a key signing.

Walker asked to leave the club back in January, securing his loan spell in Serie A shortly after, but as he is soon set to leave permanently as a free agent, he could prove a good bit of business for Everton.

Other suitors are said to include Fenerbahçe SK, with a number of European players entering the latter stages of their career opting for a switch to the Turkish league.

However, with still plenty of strength, pace and experience in a number of defensive positions, Walker will no doubt favour his chances remaining in the ever-competitive and fast-paced Premier League.

What about you, Blues – will you be sad to see him go?

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Featured Images — pantkiewicz (via Flickr/Wikimedia Commons)

Sport

Soccer Aid raises more than £15 million for Unicef as a familiar face stars at Old Trafford

Danny Jones Danny Jones How much did Soccer Aid raise this year 2025?

This past Sunday saw not only the closing night of Parklife and Outbreak Festival here in Greater Manchester, but also Soccer Aid 2025, which raised yet another incredible amount for charity.

It was also one of the highest-scoring games Old Trafford has seen in a while.

This year’s edition of the fundraising match for UNICEF, which has now been running for more than two decades, saw a record-breaking 14th win for the World XI, who have also emerged as champions from the last five Soccer Aid games.

Nevertheless, with more than £15 million raised in charitable donations to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which helps protect children’s rights, provide humanitarian and all-around support to kids across the world in developing countries, that was the real victory.

As you can see, the exact amount generated following donations during this year’s Soccer Aid fixture is £15,280,163, essentially matching the record-breaking figure raised in 2024.

Better still, this now takes the total raised for UNICEF thanks to the charity match, which became annual back in 2018, to beyond £115m. Incredible stuff.

Top performers on the night included Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, who got the goals underway, ex-Man City Women’s star Toni Duggan and retired England striker Jermain Defo, who managed to score a brace on the night.

However, despite taking a two-goal lead, it was the World XI’s star man who happened to be both a once-friendly face at the Theatre of Dreams and a familiar foe.

Former Red and Blue, Carlos Tevez, scored four goals on the night to get his side in the game before, including an impressive free kick – not without receiving a hefty slide tackle from Player of the Match and die-hard United fan, ‘Angry Ginge’, though.

This winning, however, was probably our pick of the bunch, purely for the celebration alone:

Speaking on the staggering 2025 total, pop star Robbie Williams, who founded the event back in 2006, said: “As an original founder of Soccer Aid, I couldn’t be more proud of UNICEF…

“From the volunteers, organisers and talent, to the team on the ground; everyone who buys a ticket or makes a donation. Together, over the years, we’ve raised over £121m. Here’s to many more games and even more fundraising.”

Well done to everyone involved with another fantastic year for Soccer Aid and UNICEF, including local comedian Paddy McGuinness, who celebrated a record ninth appearance playing between the sticks for England. Big likey, big lighty.

You can watch the game back in full HERE or all the big highlights from Soccer Aid 2025 down below.

Cracking scoreline that. Man United vs Lyon, eat your heart out.

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Featured Images — Press Shot (via Soccer Aid)/Sam Quek (via X)

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