Andre Onana, Cameroonian born goalkeeper of the Manchester United is having it stormy as his team suffers a disappointing draw against Lyon in Europa League quarter final match this Thursday.
In a thrilling encounter at the Groupama Stadium, Lyon secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against Manchester United in the first leg of their quarter final. The match was marked by crucial mistakes from United’s goalkeeper André Onana, whose errors ultimately cost his side a much-needed victory.
The tension in the stadium was palpable, particularly after a pre-match confrontation between Onana and Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic. This pressure seemed to affect Onana early on, as he made a critical mistake that allowed Lyon to take the lead. Thiago Almada seized the opportunity, scoring the opener in the 25th minute and putting United on the back foot.
However, just when it seemed like Lyon would hold onto their advantage, Manchester United responded with resilience. Young centre-back Leny Yoro found the back of the net right on halftime, marking his first goal for the club since joining in the offseason. This equalizer shifted the momentum and gave United hope going into the second half.
As the match progressed, Joshua Zirkzee appeared to have secured a hard-fought victory for the visitors with a late header, giving United fans a reason to celebrate. Yet, the drama was far from over. In stoppage time, Rayan Cherki emerged as Lyon’s hero, capitalizing on another mistake from Onana. The Cameroonian goalkeeper failed to properly handle a shot from Georges Mikautadze, inadvertently setting up Cherki for the equalizer that denied United the win.
Despite their struggles in domestic competitions, the Europa League has offered Manchester United a glimmer of hope this season. They entered this quarter-final as the only unbeaten team in the tournament, and the draw against Lyon serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in maintaining that record.
As United prepares for the second leg, they will need to address the defensive lapses and mistakes that have plagued them this season. The thrilling draw leaves the tie finely balanced, with both teams eager to secure a place in the next round of the competition. With the stage set for an exciting return match, fans can only hope for a performance that reflects the potential of this storied club.