In a fiery exchange ahead of the Europa League quarter-final first leg, Nemanja Matic has publicly criticized Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, branding him as one of the worst goalkeepers in the club's history. This verbal spat arose after Onana boldly claimed that Manchester United was "way better" than their upcoming opponents, Lyon, which prompted Matic’s sharp rebuttal.

During a pre-match press conference, Matic, who previously spent five years at Old Trafford, responded to Onana's comments by emphasizing the goalkeeper's lack of stature at the club. "If you're one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history, then you need to be careful with what you are talking about," Matic stated, pointing out that if legendary keepers like David De Gea or Peter Schmeichel made such claims, he would take them seriously. However, he argued that Onana's track record did not warrant such confidence.

Onana, who joined United from Inter Milan for approximately £47 million, quickly fired back, highlighting Matic’s lack of success during his tenure at Manchester United. He took to social media to assert, "At least I've lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can't say the same." This jab at Matic's experience, coupled with Onana's own FA Cup win with United, indicates the tension brewing between the two players as they prepare for the highly anticipated clash against Lyon.

The exchange has added an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming match, with both players now using the war of words as motivation. As the teams gear up for the first leg, fans and pundits alike are eager to see if Onana can back up his claims on the pitch or if Matic's criticisms will hold true as the match unfolds. The stakes are high, and with both players aiming to prove their worth, it's sure to be an exciting encounter.