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…
🗣️ "If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man Utd history, you need to take care"
Nemanja Matić has hit back at Andre Onana after the United keeper said that they are "way better" than their Europa League opponents Lyon 🔴 pic.twitter.com/jYDWgyprVG
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.”
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:
Casemiro is leaving Manchester United at the end of the season
Danny Jones
Manchester United player Casemiro has confirmed that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The veteran CDM and European footballing legend joined Man United back in 2022 for around £70 million from his former team, Real Madrid, where he won everything over the best part of a decade.
Now, Old Trafford fan favourite ‘Cas’ (full name, Carlos Henrique José Francisco Venâncio Casimiro) is set to leave United following the expiration of his current and highly lucrative deal this summer.
Announcing his pending departure in an emotional video, the seasoned Brazilian midfielder admitted that he feels the time is right to leave the club – but not before giving his “everything” in the remainder of the current campaign.
Writing in the caption of the social media post, Casemiro said: “Knowing when stages come to an end. Knowing when to say goodbye when you feel that you will be remembered and respected forever.
“Four months to give my all for this badge and for our goal. Eternal respect and affection for Manchester United and its wonderful fans. Forever Red Devil.”
Responding underneath the partnered post, the club simply wrote: “Once a Red, always a Red.”
Now 33 years old and already being accused of being ‘over the hill’ even when he first landed in Manchester, Casemiro had an impressive first season under Erik ten Hag and quickly became a crucial cog in the squad; arguably, overly relied upon, some would say.
On the other hand, given his age and the fast pace of English football, it’s fair to say he’s done well to keep up with the most competitive league on the planet.
He is also one of the well-paid talents in the Premier League, so while the majority of supporters will be gutted to see him go, the board will still be relieved to see his estimated £350,000-a-week wages taken off the books.
Nevertheless, he is now regularly subbed off around the hour mark for Man United, and it’s not exactly a surprise that he is now preparing to move on. INEOS and their recruitment already look to be searching for reinforcements in the middle of the park.
They are looking to bolster their options as they chase down Champions League qualification
Bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, and now Michael Carrick‘s setup for what’s left of the 2025/26 term, he’s a big presence that will no doubt be missed in the dressing room and on the pitch.
Having scored 21 times in 146 games so far, he will finish the season with more than a century of appearances, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see him chip in with a few more goals before hanging up his red shirt.
Besides being a serial throughout pretty much the rest of his career, the midfield remains a key point of contention at United, and his departure will no doubt mean more talent will need to be brought in at least by the summer.
You can see more of his farewell announcement video down below.
💬 “I will always carry this club with me. I will always be a Manchester United fan.”
Manchester City are reimbursing fans who travelled to watch their defeat against Bodo/Glimt
Danny Jones
A bunch of Manchester City players are preparing to refund fans who travelled to watch the shock defeat against Bodo/Glimt earlier this week.
In case you missed the surprising score, Man City were on the end of a very unexpected result against the Eliteserien side, losing 3-1 in what was the club’s first-ever win in the Champions League.
More than that, it was also the first time a Norwegian team had won in the competition in nearly two decades, making it a historic night for the nation, albeit one to forget for the Blues.
Following the European upset, as a gesture of goodwill towards supporters, select members of the squad from Pep Guardiola’s so-called leadership group have now pledged to cover the trip made by the dedicated away fans, from the match ticket itself to travel costs.
JUST IN: Manchester City's players are reimbursing fans who watched their Champions League defeat against Bodo/Glimt.
They are covering the cost of match tickets for game which Pep Guardiola's side lost 3-1 🚨
The message from City stars is as follows: “Our supporters mean everything to us. We know the sacrifice that our fans make when they travel across the world to support us home and away, and we will never take it for granted.
“We also recognise that it was a lot of travelling for the fans who supported us in the freezing cold throughout a difficult evening for us on the pitch. Covering the cost of these tickets for the fans who travelled to Bodo is the least we can do.”
Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Scandinavian native Erling Haaland, who had a less-than-ideal return to his home country on Tuesday night, are said to be the individuals covering the fees
As per multiple reports, the figure is said to be just under £10k – approximately £9,357 spread across a total of 374 matchgoers, to be specific.
While the club and the players, specifically, have been praised by plenty for what many have labelled as a ‘classy move’, some are suggesting that the statement actually signals the opposite regarding their opponents, who shone on the night.
Scoring twice in quick succession midway through the first half before bagging the third and ultimately decisive goal in the 58th minute, it could have been four or five.
Bodo/Glimt had moments ruled offside and hit the woodwork in both halves.
Despite City pulling one back and showing promise of getting back in the game through Rayan Cherki, that momentum was quickly crushed when the aforementioned and only recently returning, Rodri, was sent off after a second yellow around the hour mark.
Following the arguably equally unexpected blow in the Manchester derby last weekend, it’s been a tough few days for the players and fans alike, but they still stand a chance of beating Arsenal to the Premier League title this season.
You can see the highlights from the Bodo/Glimt vs Man City game here.
Danny Jones -
9th April 2025 
