Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim publicly defended goalkeeper Andre Onana after the Cameroonian shot-stopper endured a night to forget in the 2-2 draw against Lyon in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal. Despite criticism from fans and former players, Amorim stressed that errors are part of the game and called for unity ahead of next week’s decisive second leg.
The match, held in France, saw Manchester United struggle to assert dominance against a confident Lyon side. Onana, already in the spotlight due to a pre-match exchange with Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic—who harshly labeled him “one of the worst” goalkeepers in the club’s history—was met with boos from the home crowd every time he touched the ball.
Onana’s performance was marred by two key mistakes. The first came in the opening half when Thiago Almada’s free-kick found the net following a weak attempt at a save. Although United turned the tide with goals from Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee to take a 2-1 lead, Onana’s misjudgment in the dying moments allowed Rayan Cherki to score a dramatic equaliser with the final kick of the game.
Ruben Amorim, however, refused to pin blame on his goalkeeper, stating:
“It can happen. If you play football and you play this many matches, mistakes are inevitable. There’s nothing I can say to Andre right now that will ease the frustration. We have to move forward.”
Amorim acknowledged the emotional toll the result had taken on his players, noting a subdued atmosphere in the dressing room after the final whistle.
“I felt the silence in the dressing room, and sometimes that’s good. It shows they care. A draw away from home in Europe is never easy, but we all knew we let something slip. Now we must respond,” he said.
The pressure mounts for Manchester United as their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League rely solely on winning the Europa League. With the second leg set for April 18 at Old Trafford, the team must overcome Lyon to stay in contention for European silverware and the financial rewards that accompany Champions League football.
“I think it’s still 50-50,” Amorim added. “It’s going to be a very tough match, but playing at home with our fans behind us gives us an edge.”
Teenage defender Leny Yoro, who scored his first goal for the club and previously worked under Lyon’s current manager Paulo Fonseca at Lille, remains confident in United’s chances.
“Winning away in Europe always gives you a big advantage for the return leg. Even though we conceded late, we know we can get the result at home,” Yoro said.
Despite United’s belief in their home advantage, Lyon forward Rayan Cherki issued a warning, insisting his side deserved more from the match and intends to complete the job in Manchester.
“We felt their fear from the beginning,” Cherki said. “They played with two defensive midfielders — that tells us everything. We’re ready to go there and win.”
The return leg promises intensity, with both clubs pushing for a place in the semi-finals. For Manchester United, it’s not just a game — it’s a defining moment in their season.
