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⚽ Man Utd vs Lyon: Onana Under Pressure, Amorim Shows Support
Manc⚽ Man Utd vs Lyon: Onana Under Fire, Amorim Stands Strong
Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Lyon in the UEFA Europa League turned into a heated debate over Andre Onana’s performance. The goalkeeper made two major errors, which cost the team dearly. But manager Ruben Amorim defended his player, saying he himself had made more mistakes this season.
This result leaves United’s Europa League hopes on edge before the second leg at Old Trafford.
🔥 Onana’s Costly Mistakes: What Really Happened?
United looked promising early in the game. But by the 25th minute, they fell behind. Thiago Almada launched a wide free-kick that shouldn’t have been a threat. Yet Onana reacted too late. The ball bounced just before reaching him and slipped through his gloves — handing Lyon the lead.
Later, United led 2-1 after a strong comeback. But in stoppage time, Onana spilled Georges Mikautadze’s long-range shot. Lyon’s Rayan Cherki quickly pounced on the rebound to level the match.
These two errors brought Onana’s total to eight goal-leading mistakes since last season — the most by any Premier League goalkeeper during that period.
🧤 Is Onana Really United’s Weakest Link?
Critics didn’t hold back. Nemanja Matic, now at Lyon, described Onana as “statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history.” That comment lit up social media and sparked fan debates.
But numbers show a mixed picture:
- Onana has the worst minutes-per-goal conceded ratio among United keepers with 10+ league matches.
- However, in Opta’s Goals Prevented metric, he ranks second-best in the Premier League, just behind Jordan Pickford.
So while Onana has made high-profile mistakes, he’s also delivered crucial saves that kept United in several matches.
🤝 Amorim’s Confidence in His Goalkeeper
Despite the backlash, Ruben Amorim continues to back Onana. After the match, he said:
“There’s nothing I can say to Andre right now that would help. We need to stay natural, and when the time comes, I’ll choose the best XI. But I’m really confident in Onana.”
He even admitted:
“If you look at the season, I’ve made more mistakes than him. When one player makes a mistake, it reflects on the whole team.”
Amorim’s stance highlights his belief in unity and mental toughness over blame.
📊 What’s at Stake for United?
United currently sit 13th in the Premier League. Their best hope of reaching Europe next season is by winning the Europa League, which grants a Champions League spot.
That makes the second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford absolutely crucial. All eyes will be on Amorim’s lineup — will Onana start again? Can he deliver under pressure?
🔍 Final Take: Redemption or Another Risk?
Andre Onana’s season has been full of ups and downs. With Amorim’s trust and a shot at redemption in the return leg, he still has a chance to prove the doubters wrong. The outcome may define not just Onana’s future, but also Manchester United’s entire European campaign.
Can he rise to the occasion? Or will the pressure break him again?
Stay tuned — because the next 90 minutes might shape the club’s season.
