Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has defended goalkeeper André Onana after two key errors led to a 2-2 draw against Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.
Onana, who had a pre-match spat with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic — prompting Matic to call him “one of the worst” keepers in the club’s history — endured a difficult night in France. He was jeered by Lyon fans throughout and failed to stop Thiago Almada’s free-kick that opened the scoring. Although United responded with goals from Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, Onana’s late mistake allowed Rayan Cherki to score an equalizer in the dying seconds.
“It can happen,” Amorim said post-match. “When you play a lot of games, mistakes are part of it. There’s nothing I can say to Andre right now that would change anything.”
Despite remaining unbeaten in Europe this season, Amorim acknowledged the late goal had deflated the team. “The dressing room was very quiet — that’s a good sign. Drawing away in Europe is tough, but we need to lift ourselves and focus on the return leg.”
With winning the Europa League now United’s only realistic route into next season’s Champions League — along with its financial rewards — the second leg at Old Trafford is seen as pivotal.
“I’d say it’s 50-50,” Amorim added. “But with our fans behind us at home, it’s like having an extra player.”
Teenager Leny Yoro, who scored his first goal for United and previously worked with Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca at Lille, expressed confidence ahead of the second leg. “We know how important away goals and performances are. It’s disappointing to concede late, but we’ll do everything to win at home.”
Meanwhile, Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, who scored the equalizer, believes his side were the better team and sent a warning to United: “We deserved more. From the start, we could feel their fear. We’re ready to go there and win — their setup with two defensive midfielders says it all.”