Europa League: Manchester United beat Lyon 5-4 (7-6 on aggregate) as they progress into the semi-finals
Manchester United had a game of their lives as they earned a hard-fought win over Lyon to Progress into the semi-finals of 2024/25 Europa League.
It was an encounter which had put United’s tails in between their legs as they played under immense pressure from the French club.
The Red Devils led by two goals before conceding four−the two of which were conceded even after Lyon were down to 10 men−but were able to turn the tide around in their favour when Harry Maguire headed home the winning goal to inject life into United’s atmosphere.
The win over Lyon will not set up United against Athletic Club in the semi-finals, keeping their dream of a silverware alive, and a Champions League football next season.
Most interestingly, the win gave everyone at the club a night to think about as the Ruben Amorim’s boys have booked their ticket to the semis.
Manchester United looked to have taken total control of the match when Diogo Dalot put United two goals up in the second half after Manuel Ugarte’s goal early in the first half with Alejandro Garnacho squandering a superb chance to put the team three-goal up.
Lyon found their way back into the game courtesy Corentin Tolisso’s header before Nicolas Tagliafico scored an eqauliser to bring both teams on level.
The French club would not stop fighting even after Tolisson was shown a red card, Ryan Cherki sensationally shot Lyon in front in extra-time, with Alexandre Lacazetti making it four from the penalty amidst extraordinary scenes and at that juncture, United looked sapped.
However, Casemiro won a penalty the Bruno Fernandez easily slotted home before Kobbie Mainoo brought both teams on level terms in the 20th minute with a beautiful goal.
With Lyon looking shocked, Maquire, who was deployed as a false nine in United’s desperate need for a goal, held the final moment. The celebration for the goal did not stop until long after the final whistle.
How United Managed To Come Back Into The Game
How would you rank United’s comeback? It was one of the most sensational matches one would always remember, even, in ages to come. The Red Devils went two-goal up only to find themselves two-goal behind trailing the opponents with all hope but exterminated before three late goals made up an Old Trafford comeback describing the best times at this great club.
The ending of the game was stirring, but of course, there were moments of ups and downs in the game seeing Lyon coming from 2-goal down to take two-goal lead.
The question can be asked how United lost control of the match, resulting to Lyon getting back into the back, even after falling to 10-man Lyon against 11-man United.
United’s dismal performance leading to mid-half of the game was self-destructive as their own fans appeared to be watching in disbelief at the capitulation they were witnessing. But then came the moment of change for the home team as they kept on going, piling up pressure on the visiting team.
United’s pressure was rewarded as their key players showed mettle. Casemiro was awarded a penalty and set up the other two goals to give United a hard-fought win.
Amorim: I heard The best Sound In The World
During the post-match press conference with TNT Sports, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said: “The sound in the stadium for Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire’s goals was the best sound I have ever [heard].
“A lot of people want to keep shirts, I just want to keep that sound. It is the best sound in the world.
“I feel for the people that had to leave when it was 4-2 because of the traffic. They will be gutted!
“It is a special moment. We know we are underperforming and deserve all the critics. But we still have time to make something special of this season.
“We need luck with injuries. It is going to be tough.
“In my career I had one final. I had the semi-final in Turin and the final was also in Turin [semi-final opponents Athletic Club also hosting the Europa League final].
“We lost the final, so let’s change that.”
‘This Moment Counts All Worth It’
Afterwards, in another conference, when asked if he felt there was still hope of victory when 4-2 down, he Amorim answered: “You think it’s hard, but you try to make some changes or try to push the players and force yourself to give energy to the players.
“In this stadium, in this club, you always have that feeling that anything can happen.
“All the frustration that the coach has in this kind of season, the frustration, the bad moments, when you have moments like this, it’s all worth it.
“But then you finish the game, you calm down and you start thinking that we have a game on Sunday.
“These kind of moments can create some connection between the fans and the players. We can forget for a few minutes what kind of season we are having.
“Today is a good feeling, but tomorrow we need to start everything again.”
Player ratings:
Man Utd:
Onana (7), Mazraoui (6), Maguire (7), Yoro (6), Dalot (7), Ugarte (7),
Casemiro (8), Dorgu (6), Garnacho (7), Fernandes (7), Hojlund (6).
Subs: Shaw (5), Mainoo (7), Mount (6), Eriksen (6), Amass (6).
Lyon:
Perri (6), Maitland-Niles (7), Mata (5), Niakhate (5), Tagliafico (6), Tolisso (6),
Akouokou (6), Veretout (6), Cherki (8), Mikautadze (6), Almada (7).
Subs: Tessmann (6), Lacazette (7), Fofana (7), Abner Vinicius (5), Caleta-Car (5).
Player of the Match: Rayan Cherki
