Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana ignited debate with his demonstrative celebration directed at Lyon fans during their Europa League quarter-final match.
Amidst a heated exchange, including Nemanja Matic`s scathing remark calling him “one of the worst goalkeepers in United`s history,” Onana found himself in the spotlight.
After being benched for a previous Premier League game and committing errors in the first leg against Lyon, Onana responded emphatically when Manuel Ugarte scored the opening goal for Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The goalkeeper ran towards the Lyon supporters, who had previously booed him, and celebrated with animated jumps and head nods, directly facing them.
This bold reaction sparked mixed reactions among Manchester United fans. Some lauded it as clever gamesmanship, while others deemed it overly provocative with a significant portion of the match still remaining.
Social media was quickly flooded with opinions. Some fans described Onana`s actions as “giving it large,” while others questioned the need for such added pressure. Many admired his “s***housery levels,” finding it entertaining.
However, opinions were sharply divided, with some labeling the celebration an “absolute embarrassment” and an “ultimate cringe moment.” One fan even exclaimed, “This guy is genuinely insane,” while another suggested he was “looking for trouble.” Some simply noted his inability to “contain himself,” and one commenter jokingly predicted it would be “hilarious when Matic scores.”
Despite the initial 2-0 lead for United, with goals from Ugarte and Dalot, the game took a dramatic turn. Lyon mounted a stunning comeback, scoring four unanswered goals, including two in extra time, leaving Manchester United facing an unexpected defeat.
However, in a remarkable turn of events, Manchester United rallied late in the game. Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Harry Maguire all scored in the final minutes, securing a memorable victory in the Europa League.
In the euphoria of the win, Onana`s celebrations continued as he sprinted to manager Ruben Amorim and embraced him in joyous scenes.
