The first leg of the Europa League quarter-final between Manchester United and Lyon ended in a 2-2 draw, a result heavily influenced by the performance of United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana. His errors directly led to both of Lyon’s goals, fueling pre-existing criticism stemming from a war of words with Lyon midfielder and former United player, Nemanja Matic. Onana’s assertion that United were superior to Lyon prompted Matic to label him “one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s history,” a sentiment seemingly validated by Onana’s performance in the match. He conceded a goal from Thiago Almada’s free-kick and then parried Georges Mikautadze’s shot into the path of Rayan Cherki, who capitalized on the opportunity to equalize in stoppage time.
While Onana’s mistakes undoubtedly impacted the outcome, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim emphasized the collective responsibility of the team, stating, “One player has a mistake, all the team has a mistake.” This sentiment of shared accountability was echoed by United striker Joshua Zirkzee, who vehemently defended Onana against the ensuing criticism. He labeled the targeting of Onana as “ridiculous,” reinforcing the team’s unity and refusal to scapegoat a single player. Zirkzee stressed that they operated as a cohesive unit and would not isolate anyone for errors, a crucial aspect of maintaining team morale and focus amidst the pressure of a high-stakes competition.
The match, while ultimately a draw, also witnessed a positive contribution from Zirkzee himself, who scored in the 88th minute to temporarily put United ahead 2-1. Despite the late equalizer, Zirkzee’s goal underscored his own impact and added another layer to the narrative of shared responsibility within the team. His goal, coupled with Amorim’s and his own pronouncements, served to deflect some of the negative attention away from Onana and towards the collective performance of the team. This unified stance aims to mitigate the potential psychological impact on Onana, who will undoubtedly be under scrutiny in their upcoming Premier League fixture against Newcastle.
Looking ahead to the crucial away game against Newcastle, Zirkzee acknowledged the disappointment of the draw against Lyon, describing it as “hurting.” However, he emphasized the team’s forward-looking perspective, stressing the need to concentrate on the immediate challenge ahead. He recognized the difficulty of playing away at Newcastle but expressed confidence in their ability to perform, particularly with the anticipated home advantage in the second leg against Lyon. While acknowledging Newcastle’s strength, Zirkzee underscored United’s determination to secure a victory, recognizing the importance of each remaining fixture.
The Europa League now represents Manchester United’s last opportunity to salvage a disappointing Premier League season with a trophy. The pressure to succeed is immense, and Zirkzee acknowledged this reality, stating unequivocally, “We have to win it, and we all know that. There’s no way around that. It’s the only thing we have to do.” This candid assessment highlights the significance of the Europa League for United’s season and reinforces the weight of expectation on the players. The draw against Lyon, while a setback, hasn’t dampened their resolve, but rather sharpened their focus on the ultimate objective of winning the competition.
Zirkzee’s staunch defense of Onana, combined with the team’s shared sense of responsibility, paints a picture of a united front in the face of adversity. The draw against Lyon, though frustrating, has seemingly strengthened their resolve to secure victory in the Europa League, their only remaining avenue for silverware this season. The upcoming match against Newcastle will be a crucial test of their resilience and ability to perform under pressure, setting the stage for a potentially decisive second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford. The narrative surrounding Onana’s performance and the team’s response will undoubtedly continue to be a focal point as they navigate these critical fixtures.
