Andre Onana’s poor performance saw Manchester United surrender a late lead and settle for a 2–2 draw against Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.
The Cameroon international was at fault for both Lyon goals, including a calamitous spill deep into stoppage time that allowed Rayan Cherki to equalise after Georges Mikautadze’s tame shot. Earlier, Onana had let Thiago Almada’s soft free-kick slip past him, gifting Lyon the opening goal.
The blunders came just a day after the United goalkeeper was branded “one of the worst in the club’s history” in a heated pre-match exchange involving former Red Devils midfielder Nemanja Matic, now playing for Lyon.
United squander late lead
Despite the early setback, teenage defender Leny Yoro drew United level just before halftime. Joshua Zirkzee then looked to have sealed a crucial away win with an 88th-minute header, only for Onana’s error to undo the visitors’ hard work.
United manager Ruben Amorim offered support to his under-fire goalkeeper.
“It can happen. If you play football and we play a lot of games, you can make mistakes,” Amorim said. “There is nothing I can say to Andre in this moment that will help. We have one more game to change everything, and that should be our focus.”
Champions League hopes hang in the balance
With United facing the prospect of their worst top-flight finish since 1974, winning the Europa League now represents their only realistic path back to the Champions League. Failure to qualify is projected to cost the club at least £100 million, tightening financial constraints further.
Thursday’s clash marked the first meeting between the two sides since the 2007–08 Champions League last 16—an era when both clubs were domestic powerhouses. United went on to lift their third European crown, while Lyon were reigning French champions.
The return leg at Old Trafford next week now takes on enormous significance for a United side clinging to their European ambitions.