Ruben Amorim defends Andre Onana comments – after Nemanja Matic branded goalkeeper ‘one of the worst in Man United’s history’

Ruben Amorim has tried to defuse Andre Onana’s public row with Nemanja Matic by claiming the Manchester United’s goalkeeper’s comments about Lyon have been taken out of context.

Matic branded Onana ‘one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history’ after the Cameroon international said at the weekend that Amorim’s side are ‘way better’ than Lyon. 

He also fired back at former United midfielder Matic by pointing that he has won a trophy at Old Trafford unlike the Serbian.

United’s head coach confirmed that Onana will start Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final between the two clubs at the Groupama Stadium and tried to mediate between the goalkeeper and Amorim’s former Benfica teammate Matic.

Asked about the criticism of Onana, Amorim said: ‘It’s really hard, really hard to deal with that, that is for sure. If you look to all the quotes, you can’t see disrespect there, just respect but trying to give confidence and to show confidence in his team, especially this year.

‘Everybody can talk bad things about Manchester United. Sometimes our group, as a player, as a group, as a staff, has to show confidence in our team, that’s all.

Matic comments followed Onana’s comment that Manchester United are ‘way better’ than Lyon

Ruben Amorim insists Matic heard only part of Onana’s comments as he tried to defuse the row

‘I know really well Nemanja Matic, what a good guy he is. So you hear some things by half, not the whole story and that for me is clear in this situation.

‘Tomorrow (it) will not matter. I think if you see the full quote of Andre Onana, it’s quite different. 

‘The first sentence is Lyon is a very very good team, so I think sometimes the players or the coaches don’t always listen to the full quote and sometimes it’s just a misunderstanding. And I know Matic also, he’s a great guy. Tomorrow is going to be a normal game.’