André Onana’s errors cost Manchester United dearly in the Europa League—yet while fans and pundits are fuming, manager Rúben Amorim continues to defend his number one.
The 2-2 draw against Lyon in the quarterfinal first leg wasn’t just a frustrating result—it set off a growing debate about whether André Onana is the right man between the sticks.
He was at fault for both Lyon goals at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.
However, Amorim has responded calmly and continued to show his confidence in Onana. Meanwhile, Paul Scholes delivered a more ruthless assessment and made it clear that
Onana’s costly errors set the tone
Manchester United had done just enough to edge ahead against Lyon, with Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee turning things around after an early setback. But the headlines weren’t about the goals—they were about the goalkeeper.
Onana failed to deal with a dipping free-kick that crept past him at the near post, and late in the game, a mishandled shot required only a cheeky touch from Rayan Cherki to pounce and level things.
However, Amorim stood firm in his post-match comments. “It can happen. If you play football and you play a lot of games, you can make mistakes,” he said, choosing to support Onana. It was a move that signaled long-term thinking—but also sparked debate.
Despite dramatically losing the lead, Amorim also seemed a bit satisfied about the result away from Old Trafford and looked determined for the home leg. “We drew away, in Europe, that is always hard. [But] the team is suffering, but we need to change that, and we have the opportunity to change. So let’s focus on that”, added the Portuguese manager.
Nevertheless, Paul Scholes’ frustration about United’s No. 1 was clear as he said at the half time, “He has probably wished he had kept his mouth shut before the game.” “It’s a really bad mistake. It’s a decent ball, but I’m not sure what the keeper is trying to do. It’s an awful mistake from him.”
In the post-match analysis, the former United player continued the criticism by saying, “I think he was more so at fault for the first, a huge mistake, a little harder, but he has to do better than that.”
Paul Scholes has also suggested that Amorim doesn’t seem fully satisfied with the current squad and pointed out deeper concerns about the overall quality and depth of the team.
“I don’t think he likes his team… he needs better. This team is nowhere near the standard that he wants.”
Amorim’s trust vs Scholes’ reality check
What we see here is a clear contrast in leadership styles and expectations. Amorim, still relatively new at Old Trafford, appears committed to building a united squad—one that trusts each other through highs and lows. His support for Onana might be seen as essential for dressing room harmony, especially with such a high-profile player under pressure.
But Scholes’ comments represent the mood of many supporters. Onana was signed to bring stability, especially after David de Gea’s long and controversial exit. Instead, the Cameroonian has had a season littered with ups and downs.
Amorim’s calm approach helps maintain the positive atmosphere he wants in the dressing room, but he’ll need strong results and standout performances to restore momentum at Manchester United.
If Onana continues the role of shot stopper in the second leg and repeats the same kind of mistakes, questions will grow louder—not just about Onana, but about Amorim’s judgement too.
The stakes are bigger than just one player
Amorim is managing a delicate transition. He’s dealing with a squad that isn’t fully his yet, and with fans who’ve seen too many false dawns in recent years. Trusting Onana might be part of a broader strategy, but he must also draw a line between belief and accountability.
For Onana, this is now a defining stretch. If he bounces back, he silences critics and justifies his manager’s faith. But if the mistakes continue, the noise will become deafening.
What happens next will shape more than just United’s Europa League run—it could influence summer decisions, transfer priorities, and even Amorim’s standing in the job.
Whether Amorim’s support pays off, or Scholes’ harsh words start to come true, one thing is clear—Manchester United can’t afford more moments like this.
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