Andre Onana's errors ruined United's script against Lyon

Onana's gaffe hands Lyon a 2-2 draw vs. Man Utd after Matic feud. United falter in Europa League, but Amorim backs keeper. Tottenham also draw 1-1.

Andre Onana's gaffes on Thursday handed Lyon a lifeline in their quaterfinal duel with Manchester United in the Europa League, as they settled for a 2-2 draw. (Photo credit: GOAL)

Andre Onana’s running battle with former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic swung in the direction of the big Serbian on Thursday as a late gaffe by the United keeper handed Olympique Lyon a lifeline in the tie.

Onana was vocal at the pre-match conference where he boldly said the Red Devils are miles ahead of Lyon in quality, a statement Matic took exception to, and the former Chelsea and United midfield enforcer responded with a huge attack on the Cameroonian shot-stopper.

“If that criticism came from Peter Schmeichel, Edwin Van der Sar or David De Gea, I’d question myself, but coming from the worst Manchester United goalkeeper in history, it must be a joke,” Matic said in response to Onana’s jibes.

Onana went on social media to post a picture of himself lifting the FA Cup with a caption that says, “I have lifted trophies with this club.” He must have forgotten that Matic has won league titles and cups in England and for United too.

Lyon opened scoring midway into a cagey first half through a cheeky free kick, which Onana fluffed into his net, but Leny Yoro headed home the equaliser in the last seconds of the first half in what was his first goal for the club since his switch from Lille last summer.

Joshua Zirkzee headed Manchester United in front with only five minutes remaining before full time, only for Onana to fumble another cheeky effort, allowing Ryan Cherki to bundle the ball home from close range with the drama with Matic coming to the fore again.

Ruben Amorim has come out to show support for his goalkeeper, saying he stands with him and his confidence in him remains intact.

"It can happen," said Amorim. "If you play football, you play a lot of games; you can make mistakes. If you look at the season, I make more mistakes than them during these last games and these last months.

"The other thing is we have one more game to change everything, and that should be our focus. But I'm really confident in André." Amorim concludes by saying he only wants Onana to stay natural, and when it’s time for him to choose the best eleven, he would do so without prejudice.

Elsewhere on the night, Tottenham laboured to a 1-1 draw against Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, another poor result in front of the home fans who have endured a horrible season filled with embarrassing results.