Manchester United sealed their place in the Europa League semi-finals after a dramatic 5-4 aggregate win over Olympique Lyonnais, with goalkeeper André Onana once again making headlines—both for his performance and his pointed remarks.
The Cameroonian international was a pivotal figure in United’s quarter-final clash, producing a series of decisive saves in Thursday’s thrilling second-leg encounter.
The match ended in a nail-biting 3-2 victory at Old Trafford, following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in France.
Even before the first ball was kicked in the tie, Onana had expressed confidence in United’s superiority over the French side.
“We are clearly a stronger team than Lyon,” he was quoted as saying ahead of the first leg. On the evidence of Thursday night’s performance, his words appear to have been justified.
The second leg was a test of nerves for both clubs. United struck early through Marcus Rashford, only for Lyon to hit back twice before half-time.
However, second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Højlund eventually secured passage for the Red Devils.
Onana’s influence was critical throughout. The former Inter Milan and Ajax goalkeeper was called into action several times in the dying moments, notably pulling off a double save in the 88th minute to preserve United’s slender lead.
Following the final whistle, Onana took to social media to share a cryptic but telling message with his followers. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “Built with the Onana mentality.” The phrase sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many supporters praising his leadership and resilience under pressure.
The 28-year-old’s comments appeared to encapsulate not only his own approach to high-stakes football but also the determination of a United side that has endured a turbulent season.
Injuries, inconsistent form, and managerial scrutiny have all featured heavily in their campaign, yet Thursday’s result suggests that belief within the dressing room remains intact.
For Lyon, the defeat marks the end of their European ambitions this season. Despite a valiant effort over two legs, the French outfit ultimately fell short in a contest that highlighted both their attacking prowess and defensive frailties.
Questions are likely to be asked about their inability to maintain leads and their struggles to cope with United’s high-tempo play.
As for Onana, his performance served as a timely reminder of his value to the team. After a rocky start to life at Old Trafford, the Cameroonian has grown in confidence, becoming a vocal presence in defence and a reliable last line of resistance.
With the semi-finals looming, Manchester United will need more displays of the same calibre if they are to progress further in the competition.
And if Onana’s mentality truly is as unshakeable as he claims, Erik ten Hag’s side may just have the backbone required for a deep run in Europe.
Built with ONANA MENTALITY 👊🏾🔴 pic.twitter.com/dLouW9p3Rd
— Andre Onana (@AndreyOnana) April 17, 2025
