Ruben Amorim stands by Cameroonian international Andre Onana amid Europa League blunders

Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim has offered his full backing to Andre Onana following the goalkeeper’s costly errors during Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon.

The Cameroonian international endured a difficult evening at the Groupama Stadium, where his mistakes contributed to a dramatic 2-2 draw.

Lyon’s Thiago Almada capitalised on a misjudged Onana effort to score from a free-kick, while Rayan Cherki netted a late equaliser after Onana conceded a stoppage-time penalty by fouling Georges Mikautadze.

Despite the setback, Amorim defended the under-fire goalkeeper and expressed unwavering faith in his abilities.

“I’m very confident in him,” Amorim told reporters. “These things happen in football. What matters now is how we respond in the next match.”

The tension surrounding Onana’s performance was compounded by remarks from Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic, who harshly criticised his former teammate.

Matic described Onana as “one of the worst goalkeepers in the history of Man United” following comments from the shot-stopper that Manchester United were “much better” than their French opponents.

Onana faced a hostile reception in Lyon and left the pitch under scrutiny, but Amorim urged calm within the camp, noting that the dressing room remained composed after the match.

Ruben reflects on the first leg ????️#MUFC || #UEL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 10, 2025

“The dressing room was very calm. It’s football. We need to keep our focus and prepare well for the return leg,” he said.

Asked whether Matic’s remarks had affected Onana mentally, Amorim refrained from speculating.

“I don’t know if that influenced him,” he said. “We’ll look at the match footage, go over the situations, and work with the goalkeeping staff. That’s how improvement comes.”

Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca, meanwhile, played down the controversy surrounding the verbal exchange between Matic and Onana, describing it as part of the competitive nature of football.

“These are normal situations,” Fonseca said. “What matters is that my players gave everything on the pitch. I’m proud of their performance.”

Manchester United had briefly turned the tide in their favour after falling behind, with teenage defender Leny Yoro scoring his first goal for the club and Joshua Zirkzee adding a header late in the second half.

However, the draw leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg.

Despite the intense criticism, Amorim’s message was one of support, patience, and belief.

“There is nothing more to say to Onana right now,” he concluded. “I trust him.”