Jason Tindall disagrees with 'brutal' Manchester United claim ahead of Newcastle United clash

Newcastle United assistant coach Jason Tindall has defended Andre Onana after he was labelled the worst goalkeeper in Manchester United’s history.

The comment was made by Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic after Onana claimed Man United were “better than” the French club ahead of their Europa League quarter-final first-leg meeting on Thursday.

Onana’s claim irked Matic, who delivered a brutal comeback: “To say that, you need to have cover to say something like that. Onana, I respect everyone, but to say that, then you need to give an answer.

“If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history, you need to take care what you are talking about. If David de Gea, or Peter Schmeichel, or (Edwin) Van der Sar said that, then I will question myself.

“But if you are one of the statistically worst goalkeepers in Man United modern history, he needs to show that (they're better) before he says.”

Jason Tindall weighs in on Andre Onana debate

As it happens, the Cameroonian endured a nightmare evening in Lyon last night as the two teams played out a 2-2 draw.

The Red Devils fell behind when Onana allowed Thiago Almada’s free-kick to skip past him. Goals from Lenny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee looked to have earned Ruben Amorim’s side a victory but Onana slipped up again in stoppage time when he parried Corentin Tolisso’s shot into the path of Rayan Cherki.

The pair meet again at Old Trafford on Thursday but before that Man United face Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday. Ahead of the game, Matic’s comments were put to Tindall, who conducted a pre-match press conference in Eddie Howe’s enforced absence.

“I wouldn't say that,” Tindall responded. “I wouldn't say that at all. I think he's a top goalkeeper. And like every player, you know, every player on the football pitch makes mistakes and I think he's no different to anybody else but we're not looking at it that way.

“I've seen him deliver some top performances in goal for Man United but I certainly wouldn't agree with those comments myself.”

What Jason Tindall said about Manchester United

Manchester United are set to record their worst-ever Premier League finish, currently sitting 13th in the table. Having won 3-0 at Old Trafford in December, Newcastle also have the opportunity to complete a league double over the Reds Devils for the first time in 95 years.

“I think any team that play against Man United and Arsenal and Liverpool is a big game and obviously Newcastle is a huge club themselves,” Tindall said. “And there's always been that rivalry there between Newcastle and Man United.

“They're the type of games, as a player and as a coach and manager, you want to be involved in. We know it's going to be a fantastic atmosphere at St James' Park, it always is when we play against Man United. And it's down to us to go and deliver a performance that wins us the game.

“They're a good side, they've only lost one in their last six so they're certainly a different side to the one that we faced at Old Trafford. We know we need to be at our best to deliver a performance that does it.”

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