Manchester United faced Lyon in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday, April 10th. After trading punches with Matic online, Onana had much to do to save his reputation. Ultimately, he failed.
Andre Onana's two blunders
In the 25th minute of the match, United conceded a free kick from a wide position in their own half. Both sets of players lined up in the box, as Thiago Almada looked to swing in the ball with hopes of a Lyon player getting their head to it. As Almada's ball soared through the air, it also went past every player, including Onana, and into the back of the net.
Onana failed to get his hands behind the ball, which might have been enough to edge the ball past his post or at least onto the foot of one of his defenders to clear it away. Regardless, Onana's mistake cost United the first goal of the evening.
After goals from Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, United must have believed that they would be heading back home with a one-goal advantage before the second leg next week. However, a shot from Georges Mikautadze spilt from Onana's hands and fell right into the path of Rayan Cherki, who coolly sent his shot over Onana's outstretched leg and into the back of the net with the last play of the game.
Onana's two mistakes were costly for United, who enjoyed another relatively good game in the European competition, aside from the two goals conceded. Onana had boasted before the game that United "are way better" than Lyon, but his performance did not match his words. In fact, his performance was sure to have put a smile on Matic's face, who fired back at the keeper and called him "one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United's history."
How will the second leg compare?
The second leg of the quarterfinal will come a week later at Old Trafford on the 17th of April. It will likely be a cagey affair, with both sides wanting to prove they are the better of the two. United will need to step up, especially in their attacks as both Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho failed to impress again.
Fans have been calling for Onana to be replaced in the second leg, as these haven't been his only mistakes in goal this season. But Ruben Amorim remains "really confident" in the Cameroonian goalkeeper and it is unlikely Amorim will bench him.
United have struggled at Old Trafford this season, however they are still unbeaten in the Europa League. The English side will be looking to keep their unbeaten run going and will certainly want to get a place in the semifinals.
Winning the Europa League would secure a place in the Champions League for next season. It would also give Amorim his first trophy with the club. The spot in the Champions League could be crucial in terms of convincing summer targets to join Manchester United.