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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

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:

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

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

Sport

Manchester United announce record revenue despite on-pitch struggles

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester United have declared a record revenue figure for the full 2025 fiscal term, even with their poor performances on the pitch over the past 12 months.

They may still be a continually struggling Premier League side who seem to be in a perpetual state of transition, but they remain nothing short of a global giant in terms of sporting brands.

Yes, despite Man United recording two of the worst finishes in domestic history in the previous two campaigns and head coach Ruben Amorim having already overseen the worst start to a top-flight season in the modern era following the defeat on derby day, the football club has reached a monetary milestone.

According to their official reports for the fourth and final quarter of the financial year, they brought in a record-breaking £666.5 million throughout 2024/25 – but, as always, it’s more complicated than that.

Released on Wednesday, 17 September, Manchester United PLC confirmed that they had managed to record the biggest revenue figures on several fronts despite crashing out of the Europa League, finishing 15th in the table overall and failing to secure a place in any European competition this season.

The first half of Amorim‘s tenure at Old Trafford saw the club’s worst competitive placing since 1973/74, a.k.a. the last time the Red Devils were relegated from the first division.

Nevertheless, a fresh shirt sponsorship agreement with Snapdragon, new brand partnerships with the likes of Coca-Cola, an extension of their contract with travel experience company, SportsBreaks, and numerous other deals saw United achieve a record commercial revenue of £333.3m.

Elsewhere, match revenue was also up and reached new heights, tallying approximately £160.3m in the 12 months leading up to 30 June 2025 – the most they have ever registered when it comes to ticket sales, concessions, and other transactions in and around game days.

Controversial increases to some ticket prices and seat changes no doubt helped tip the scales in that respect, but it’s also worth clarifying that they still posted overall losses of £33m.

Although this number is a reduction of more than 70.8% what they lost last year (£113.2m), there is still plenty of concern among supporters over how money is still not only being spent but moved around.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS board did pay sizeable chunks of MUFC’s debt, which has piled up at an alarming rate in the two decades since the Glazer takeover, but there has still been plenty of borrowing.

In addition to a number of shorter-term loans, there has also been an increased level of amortisation and significant transfer spending this summer, despite being admittedly cash-strapped.

As well as actually having less money to play with over the past 12 months, they are also set to receive less in TV rights and broadcasting revenues this season due to not making it into any European competition, hence why they went on a post-season Asian tour to try and make up for funds lost.

It’s estimated that the business earned a further £8 million from these games, but it’s also worth noting that significant sums have been spent not only on new signings but also on severance fees and redundancy packages, so it’s hard to assess how much this extra injection helped with the fine margins.

Divisive CEO and former City Football Group exec, Omar Berrada, wrote in the comments section of the full findings and financial report: “As we settle into the 2025/26 season, we are working hard to improve the club in all areas.

“On the field, we are pleased with the additions we have made to our men’s and women’s first team squads over the summer, as we build for the long term. Off the field, we are emerging from a period of structural and leadership change with a refreshed, streamlined organisation equipped to deliver on our sporting and commercial objectives.”

Yet again, it’s worth noting that the same ‘streamlining’ her refers to includes sacking over 450 staff across two rounds of lay-offs.

He adds: “We are also investing [in upgrading] our infrastructure, including completion of the £50m redevelopment of our men’s first team building at Carrington, on time and on budget, following prior investment in our women’s team facilities, to create a world-class environment for our players and staff.

“Meanwhile, planning continues to meet our ambition of developing a new stadium at Old Trafford as part of a transformational regeneration of the surrounding community.

Manchester United’s Old Trafford regeneration project backed by UK government
Total Manchester United revenue may be up but they’re about to shell out seismic outlay for their new stadium costs.

Berrada signs off by insistig that for the club to have “generated record revenues during such a challenging year for the club demonstrates the resilience which is a hallmark of Manchester United.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Our commercial business remains strong as we continue to deliver appealing products and experiences for our fans, and best-in-class value to our partners.”

“As we start to feel the benefits of our cost reduction programme, there is significant potential for improved financial performance, which will, in turn, support our overriding priority: success on the pitch.”

What do you make of Manchester United’s 2024/25 annual report and how it fits into the wider picture/struggles elsewhere around the club?

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Sport

Shakers survive as Bury FC win a tense knockout replay after ineligible player mix-up

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bury FC survive FA Trophy tie replay after ineligible player mix-up

Bury FC have survived a tense close-run replay after being ordered to replay a match following a mix-up which led to an illegible player being fielded in a knockout tie against another local side.

Safe to say that despite coming through unscathed, their supporters have still been left understandably frustrated, not to mention raising further concerns throughout English football.

The Shakers were victorious in their FA Trophy tie against fellow Greater Manchester club Wythenshawe Town FC earlier this month, winning 3-1 on the night – but they had to play them again on Tuesday evening, scraping through by a single goal.

Victory aside, Bury fans have railed against what they now deem a flawed FA system, a player substituted on in the first match despite being technically ineligible to take part. The club have insisted they were unaware of this.

As detailed on social media, new signing and debutant Gavin Massey was brought off the bench in the second half on 6 September as the home team went on to win the game, but his introduction ultimately voided the result.

This is because Massey was retrospectively sent off during his former club, AFC Fylde’s final fixture of last season against Barnet FC, being given a red card after the full-time whistle.

Not only were Bury not clued into this, but it was somewhat unclear as to who was dismissed at the time, with the referee reportedly flashing the card “in the direction of a group of players and staff of AFC Fylde in the changing room area.”

As Bury continued in the lengthy statement released earlier this week, “the FA Portal only allows clubs to see the player registration detail once a player has made their first appearance for the club”, and since he only arrived at Gigg Lane this summer, the incident was missed.

In fact, as they clarify, the portal’s discipline records only “showed one suspension for the game, that of Aiden Walker’s following his dismissal against Stalybridge Celtic in the FA Cup replay in August.”

Once again, given how the system works, Massey’s suspension record was only made visible to the Bury after coming on for his first club appearance. The unfortunate oversight has caused quite the uproar among the fanbase.

Reacting online, one fan wrote: “How the hell are you meant to work around this? Once you sign a player, you should be able to see his profile. Not after he’s played his first game.” Another simply labelled the dilemma as “bonkers.”

Following a meeting with The FA on Monday evening, Bury were officially ordered to replay the knockout tie at Ericstan Park last night and, thanks to a late header from DJ Pedro, managed to make it out of the other side with the same result, barring one less goal.

It was reiterated prior to the reluctant replay that “Bury Football Club would like to put on record that no issues with player registrations occurred in this instance, and that usual processes were followed by our administration team in preparation for the FA Trophy tie.”

Nevertheless, the whole palava has raised serious questions surrounding the official FA portal, which looks to be causing plenty of problems up and down the pyramid. You can be sure Bury FC won’t be the only ones forced into an avoidable replay this year.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Bury Football Club (screenshot via YouTube)

More Sport

FIFA confirm new international breaks schedule explained

News

FIFA confirm new changes to international breaks – and many fans are divided

Man City staff member sacked after wearing Man United shirt on the bar on derby day

Manchester

Manchester City staff member sacked after wearing Man United shirt to shift

Salford

Salford Red Devils supporters group outline plans for the next major protest march

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches