Paul Scholes claims Ruben Amorim is ‘lying’ in post-match interview after Lyon draw

In a recent Europa League quarter-final clash between Manchester United and Lyon, the match ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving both teams with mixed feelings. The game was marked by pivotal moments, notably involving Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, whose performance came under intense scrutiny. Post-match, Lyon’s manager, Ruben Amorim, addressed the media, but his comments were met with sharp criticism from former United midfielder, Paul Scholes.

The encounter at Parc Olympique Lyonnais was nothing short of dramatic. Lyon drew first blood when Thiago Almada’s in-swinging free-kick caught Onana off guard, giving the French side the lead. Manchester United responded with resilience; young defender Leny Yoro scored his inaugural goal for the club, leveling the score. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee seemed to have secured a win for United with a late header from a Bruno Fernandes cross. However, Onana’s late error, spilling a shot that led to Rayan Cherki’s stoppage-time equalizer, ensured the match ended in a draw.

Onana’s performance was a focal point of post-match discussions. His blunders, including mishandling Almada’s free-kick and the late spill leading to Cherki’s goal, were costly. These errors added to his tally of nine mistakes leading to goals since last season, the most among Premier League goalkeepers. The timing was particularly sensitive, given recent comments by Lyon’s Nemanja Matic, who had labeled Onana as “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history.

In his post-match interview, Amorim chose a path of collective responsibility, stating, “When one player makes a mistake, all of the team makes a mistake so we continue like that.” He further expressed confidence in Onana, affirming, “No, we’ll continue to do the same thing in training… trying to choose the best eleven to win every match.

Scholes, analyzing Amorim’s remarks, expressed skepticism about the manager’s sentiments. He observed that Amorim often appears disappointed and may not fully believe in the team’s capabilities. Scholes remarked, “I don’t think he likes his team to be honest… I think he knows that he hasn’t got a great football team and he needs better.” He further cautioned that without significant improvements, United might find themselves in a relegation battle, stating, “If they don’t get that right this summer… they could be looking at being in that relegation fight.

The debate over Onana’s role intensified following his recent performances. Scholes highlighted the importance of addressing the goalkeeping situation, given Onana’s recent errors and the team’s aspirations. He noted that while Onana has had standout moments, “the quality around the pitch isn’t quite there.”

The draw leaves the tie finely balanced, with the second leg at Old Trafford offering both teams a chance to seize control. For Manchester United, addressing defensive vulnerabilities, especially in goal, will be crucial. The team’s performance under Amorim’s leadership will be under close scrutiny, as fans and pundits alike await tangible improvements.

The match against Lyon served as a microcosm of Manchester United’s season—moments of promise overshadowed by critical errors. As the team navigates the challenges ahead, the interplay between manager and player dynamics, especially concerning key positions like goalkeeper, will significantly influence their trajectory in domestic and European competitions.