Manchester United

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Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic labelled Andre Onana as "one of the worst goalkeepers in the club's history". Was that a bit harsh or actually justified? How does he compare to the rest? Let's have a look at what the stats say.

The Cameroonian joined United in July 2023, succeeding David de Gea, who departed after 12 years at the club.

Since making the the £47.2m move from Inter Milan, Onana has gone on to win the FA Cup and has kept 23 clean sheets in 93 appearances.

The table above compares the current number one to Manchester United's other goalkeepers since the 2003-04 season. Only those who've played 900 or more Premier League minutes are included.

Onana ranks at the top of the list for saves per 90 minutes with an average of 3.4. So on average he makes more saves than other Manchester United keeper in the last 20 years but that stat does come with an asterisk because the data doesn't tell us how many shots he has actually faced compared to the others.

Anders Lindegaard, who has the lowest saves per 90 average (2.3), also has the lowest save percentage with 67.2. He made 19 Premier League appearances for United between 2011 and 2014.

Onana has the second lowest save percentage (70.1), out of the nine former Manchester United goalkeepers on our list.

Image source, Getty Images

Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic says that with more time and support Ruben Amorim can do "very good" at Manchester United.

The Serbian spent five years at Old Trafford until 2022.

"In football today people don't have time but I'm sure he's the right profile. He's a young coach, with lots of energy. He needs support," said Matic about former Benfica team-mate Amorim.

"It's difficult to know what's going to happen. He needs time.

"It's not easy. In some other leagues, maybe he will have an easier job, but in the Premier League if you are not 100% ready, if you don't have a very good team, the other teams punish you.

"It's hard in the Premier League if the things are not right. It's so difficult to turn the things in a short period, but step by step I believe that he can do very good."

Manchester United play in the first leg of their quarter-final against Lyon on Thursday.

Image source, Getty Images

Lyon are "not scared" of facing Manchester United in the Europa League, says former Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The 27-year-old joined Lyon from the Gunners on a free transfer in 2023 and has become a key player for the Ligue 1 side.

Lyon host Ruben Amorim's side on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final hoping to take advantage of United's difficult season, before they travel to Old Trafford in the return match a week later.

"As an Englishman, it is nice to go home and be in a familiar atmosphere but at the same time we know the challenge ahead of us," the England international told BBC Sport.

"They have quality players but we are not scared and we will give it our all and believe we can win.

"They are not having the greatest season they have had in recent years but, when they have that type of talent in their team, you have to be cautious and have respect.

"But, also go out there with a bit less respect to overcome the challenge ahead because you give players like Bruno [Fernandes] and [Christian] Eriksen a bit more respect than you should and they will run all over you in the game."

Maitland-Niles has faced United on six occasions during his career so far, winning three of those game, drawing one and losing two.

Despite their form this campaign, he is still expecting a tough game when they travel to Old Trafford looking to progress to the semi-finals.

"It is nothing short of what they call it - the Theatre of Dreams," Maitland-Niles added.

"It can be a dream for you or it can crush your dreams too. I have had good times and bad times up there.

"United are always a team with a lot of quality. They have never been short of it and they rise to the occasion in big games."

Read more from Maitland-Niles here

Everton are expecting to lose 22-year-old centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite this summer, with Manchester United and Tottenham keen. (Sun), external

Chelsea are leading the race to sign 19-year-old Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham, ahead of Manchester United, Arsenal, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Tottenham. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Matthijs de Ligt has a foot problem that is "still being assessed" and they do not have the data yet to put a timescale on his return. Toby Collyer is also unavailable with a leg issue but they hope to have in him back in "a few weeks".

• With midfielder Kobbie Mainoo returning to the squad, Amorim said they have to "be careful with his fitness" but he is "happy to have more options and options like Kobbie".

• On where he sees Mainoo's position in the team: "Casemiro in this moment is playing better because we are starting to understand better how Casemiro can play. We can do that with Kobbie. He has lots of qualities - really good on the ball and near the opponent box. So we will try and manage all that to find the right space for Kobbie Mainoo."

• He added: "When I see Kobbie I don't see him as a full player at the moment because he is 19. If I say to Kobbie 'you are done, you are a full player', then I am not helping Kobbie."

• Amorim believes there was a "misunderstanding" with Andre Onana's quotes about Lyon that caused Nemanja Matic to react: "Hard to deal with that [for Onana]. If you look at all the quotes, there is no disrespect there but just trying to show confidence in the team. Especially this year, people can talk bad about United, but as coach, players and staff we have to show confidence in the team. I know Matic and what a good guy he is. You hear things by half sometimes and not the whole and you can see that here."

• On the importance of winning this competition to get into Europe next season: "Important in all aspects. First, to win a title - especially a European title. In this season, winning something like that is massive for us and for confidence. Then, for the future and next season. To play Champions League for our club is massive. The summer, the budget for the summer, everything is connected to that competition."

• The United boss does not believe there is a "tactical" difference between the Europa League and Premier League and that it is in the "pace of the game" and "intensity of the game".

• He added: "I have the data to talk about [intensity], it is completely different [in the Premier League]. If you have one more second to think about the game then it is completely different. Until now I felt the difference when we play Europa League and any Premier League game, that small space of time can give us an advantage to play better."

Listen to full commentary of Lyon v Manchester United on BBC Radio 5 Live from 20:00 BST on Thursday

Image source, Getty Images

After Nemanja Matic labelled Andre Onana "one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history", we asked you whether his comments are justified.

This is what you said:

Ben: I think Matic makes a fair point. OK, Onana probably isn't the worst in United history but he hasn't justified the hefty price tag and for me personally I would still have had David de Gea and Dean Henderson at the club.

George: Though Matic's statement is harsh, we can't deny the fact that Onana has been the worst signing of a goalkeeper by United for keepers who have played more than 10 games for the club. He doesn't fill the defence with confidence and his ball-playing has been poor for a keeper signed for his ball-playing skill.

Jay: What Onana said did not warrant such a personal attack. Matic is bang out of order here. Not that he was that good for United - slow, ineffective and weak at times. You don't throw stones in glasshouses.

Jamie: Definitely on a par with Massimo Taibi! Dreadful keeper! Insulting to think there are reserve keepers in the league the are better than Onana. Shouldn't play again this season let alone next.

John: I get the wobbles every time there is a shot or a set piece. Onana is too slow with distribution and doesn't command his square. I agree.

Peter: Matic was wrong to say those things about United's current keeper. Yes we have had better all round keepers in the past, but they have had much better players in front of them and probably one of the best managers of all time in Sir Alex Ferguson. So let Matic be judgemental on how it was, not comparing with a present day weak team.

Joe: Matic has a valid point. Onana's shot stopping is poor. He has a real weakness against low shots near to his right. He was bought for his footwork. But for Man Utd has retreated backwards. Need to sell him.

Image source, Opta

Since the start of 2023-24, only Jordan Pickford (8.7) has prevented more goals based on Opta's expected goals model in the Premier League than Manchester United's Andre Onana (7.5).

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United and current Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic has labelled Andre Onana "one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history".

That is a pretty explosive statement that strikes at the heart of a major talking point among Manchester United supporters.

The status of Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar as legendary United figures is assured due to their Premier League title and Champions League-winning feats during their time at Old Trafford.

David de Gea was the goalkeeper for the club's last championship-winning campaign under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

He also won an unprecedented four United player of the year awards at a point where many felt without De Gea, the club's slide from prominence would have been even worse than it was.

However, De Gea's time at Old Trafford coincided with the period when the demands on goalkeepers to play with their feet began to increase.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was not convinced by De Gea and he also lost his place in the Spain squad. Amid a huge amount of speculation around his future, United opted not to offer De Gea an extension in 2023 and he left, with Onana coming in from Inter Milan for £47.2m.

To say Onana is the worst goalkeeper in modern times is harsh and the name of Massimo Taibi's ill-fated four-game spell in 1999 (he conceded 12 goals) immediately springs to mind. The feeling is that Matic is standing up for a friend in De Gea.

Nevertheless, Onana has done little to justify his transfer fee – the fourth highest paid for a goalkeeper - which means Matic has a legitimate position to launch such an attack.

The pre-match handshake between the pair should be fun.

What do you make of the comments?

Is Matic out of order or is his point valid about Onana's time in a United shirt?

Let us know

Image source, PA Media

Boxer and Manchester United supporter Pat Brown, speaking to The Devils' Advocate podcast about Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester City:

"This United squad would be 100% better if they had a natural goalscorer.

"Rasmus Hojlund holds the ball up very well - he's strong, he's got many years left in him and we have a very youthful team, but if we had a Harry Kane type in the squad it would've been a different story. You just can't buy experience.

"I take my hat off for Joshua Zirkzee. He's improved so much and has really come out of his shell. I also believe with Alejandro Garnacho that a bit of punishment of not playing him has made him hungrier - but we still need a proper striker that we can rely on who saves the day.

"There's nothing quite like the Premier League, so United need a player in their late 20s who has been there and done it all."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

United boss Ruben Amorim bounced between standing on the balls of his feet like a coiled spring and relentlessly pacing his technical area, constantly barking out instructions and only pausing to drink from his bottle or usher coach Carlos Fernandes forward for both attacking and defensive set-pieces.

Those were the only times he disappeared from the touchline, directing his players through almost every other element of the performance.

While less frenetic on his feet, counterpart Pep Guardiola was equally active - arms thrown wide, head bowed in frustration or whirling his hands to demand more from his players.

When United attacked, Guardiola regularly dropped to his haunches. Occasionally he would return to the dugout to swap thoughts with assistant Juan Manuel Lillo, but barely lasted a minute before coming to the side of the pitch again.

There was one nice moment when Guardiola showed a delicate touch to control a ball out of play, and Amorim touched his hand as a sign of commendation. From one cultured footballer to another, their mutual respect was also obvious in their embrace at the end.

See what all the other managers did

Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 26, favours a move to Juventus or a Premier League club once his loan spell at Galatasaray ends. Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are all interested in the forward, who is available for 65m euros (£55.7m). (ESPN)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater, speaking on the Devils' Advocate podcast about Sunday's goalless draw with Manchester City:

"It was a really good atmosphere, all throughout the first half in particular.

"The Stretford End were all on their feet, they really gave it some. I thought the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic, it was just a shame nothing came from the performance.

"I'm relieved in a way that we didn't get beaten or battered.

"You go into derbies against Manchester City nowadays knowing that they are better than us. Even this season, when they have been really poor, City are still better than us looking at the league table."

Boxer and United fan Pat Brown added: "The trap we are falling into though is that we are happy to get these sorts of results. The expectation at Manchester United has dropped so much over the years and it's not right.

"We were always giving everyone what for before - and we were proud of that. Whereas now it's like we are happy to leave a derby with a draw. You shouldn't want to draw with City, no matter how much better they are.

"In derbies, you don't see players menacing players any more. You need to have one figure in the team that is strong, because you need that little one percent and that fire.

"But I feel like all the players now are like: 'Oh yeah, I know you from the national team' and they are all too pally with each other - it shouldn't be like that.

"I remember that Gary Neville video where he was about to walk out, nobody shook hands with each other, and everyone was stern and ready. You just don't get that in football any more."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

If you were expecting me to conjure up a talking point from one of the most tepid Manchester derbies in history, I am sorry to disappoint.

Instead, I am showing support for a player who, for some illogical reason, needs some.

The toxic, impatient social media culture has locked in on its latest target - Patrick Dorgu.

And this exact issue makes it no surprise that the general online atmosphere is so aggressively bipolar.

The generators of such unnecessary negativity are the same fans who believed that a 20-year-old import from Italy would be Europe's leading left-wing-back from day one.

I should not even need to emphasise how bad this current Manchester United team is to lay out how wild those expectations are.

Dorgu has experienced a mixed start to life in Manchester.

He is a constant attacking outlet on the left flank, always entering positions that will eventually produce goals and assists naturally. United did not have that before he arrived.

However, there is a rawness and recklessness that will fade with experience.

Dorgu has been guilty of losing duels and misfiring passes. The Dane also served a three-match ban for a straight red card at the dawn of his United career.

But I like to consider myself a realist, and I do not think he could be giving much more for now.

Like every other squad member, Dorgu is attempting to meet the demands of a new style of play.

The difference is, in the infancy of his adulthood, he is settling in a new country and is the only natural fit for his position. More responsibility? More pressure.

Leny Yoro's situation - and start - were the same. Yet, the 19-year-old was shown patience because of his glittering reputation, and he is already showing signs of real class.

Dorgu must receive the same treatment.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external