Man Utd great Schmeichel gives verdict on Onana with stinging three words

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has piled onto Andre Onana’s misery, claiming the goalkeeper leaves players and fans “never feeling safe” after his calamitous display in Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Lyon.

The Dane’s stinging verdict aligns with Nemanja Matic’s brutal pre-match jab, branding Onana “one of the worst in United’s history”—a prophecy that came true as the Cameroon international’s double blunder gifted Lyon a lifeline.

Onana’s nightmare in France saw him fumble Thiago Almada’s free-kick for the opener and weakly parry Corentin Tolisso’s shot to Rayan Cherki for a 95th-minute equaliser, undoing United’s comeback via Rasmus Højlund and an own goal.

The errors—his ninth and tenth leading to goals since last season, per Opta—intensified a feud sparked by Onana’s claim that United were “way better” than Lyon. Matic, a Lyon substitute, hit back, and Schmeichel, speaking to talkSPORT with Ally McCoist on Friday, didn’t hesitate to side with his former teammate.

“You never feel safe with Onana in goal,” Schmeichel said. The 15-time trophy winner, widely seen as United’s greatest-ever keeper, stopped short of calling Onana the worst but pointed to a deeper rot.

“Is he the problem? Is the defence the problem? Is the midfield? I think there are so many issues Ruben Amorim needs to sort out. I mean, I would be very uncomfortable with just pointing to one player”

Returning to the subject of Onana, he said: “But it’s not great to watch, I have to say that. You never feel safe. You never feel that, even going 2-1 up, that this is it.

“You always fear that the other team’s going to come back in the game, and they did, but a 2-2 away from home is not bad, and they’ve done well at Old Trafford in the Europa League.”

The Matic-Onana spat, which erupted after Sunday’s 0-0 derby draw with City, has split opinions. Onana’s X retort—“At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world”—nodded to his 2023 League Cup and 2024 FA Cup, a dig at Matic’s trophyless five years at United.

But Lyon’s late leveller gave Matic the last laugh, and Schmeichel’s backing has cranked up the heat. Posts on X show fans divided: @MUFC_Jack tweeted, “Schmeichel’s spot on—Onana’s a liability. Get Verbruggen in!” while @UnitedTillIDie countered, “He’s saved us loads—cut him slack.”

United’s rumoured move for Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen (£40m, per Gazzetta dello Sport) suggests Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ready to act, with Højlund’s £52m sale to Juventus also mooted to fund a rebuild (TMW).

Amorim, speaking post-Newcastle, stayed diplomatic: “Andre’s a top keeper—mistakes happen. We move forward.” But with the Lyon return leg next week and a top-four gap now at nine points, Onana’s rope is shortening.

Schmeichel’s wider point—echoing Gary Neville’s “robotic” dig—hits at United’s identity crisis. “There’s no spark, no fear factor,” he told McCoist. “Amorim needs time, but players like Onana have to step up now.” Whether the 29-year-old can silence the doubters, or if Matic’s curse holds, Old Trafford’s holding its breath.