Manchester United came back from the dead to secure a 5-4 victory over Olympique Lyonnais, thereby sealing their progression into the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.
Man United had everything to play for against Lyon, given that the Europa League truly was their last chance at glory this season, not to mention a chance at Champions League qualification next season.
While they fumbled a two-goal lead, United produced a thrilling performance from start to finish, earning a nail-biting victory thanks to some late heroics by Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire.
The home side looked comfortable on the ball, with Leny Yoro bursting up the field from the back to launch a dangerous attack, only for the Lyon defence to clear Bruno Fernandes’ final cross.
Ruben Amorim’s side continued applying pressure in the early stages but struggled to penetrate the Lyon defence once entering their final third. It seemed that more creativity was needed.
Then, in the 10th minute, United found their breakthrough. In a brilliant build-up, Fernandes cut the ball back from the right flank to Alejandro Garnacho, who shifted the ball to Manuel Ugarte to slot the ball neatly into the back of the net.
It was exactly the start that United needed to tee up a much-needed Europa League victory.
Casemiro came inches within doubling United’s lead when his shot was tipped around the post by goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
Harry Maguire put his body on the line when he blocked a blistering shot by Thiago Almada within the box to protect United’s lead. While a sharp piece of defending, United’s back line lost their focus at a time when they could not afford to.
25 minutes in, Garnacho carried the ball up the field and took a shot that was deflected out for a corner.
It was a threatening corner, with Maguire’s header veering ever so slightly past the far post.
Rayan Cherki almost levelled the scoreline when he shook off Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu to go one-on-one with Onana. While he fired a thunderous effort at goal, Onana did well to parry the effort.
In a moment of magic, Diogo Dalot drilled a long ball to Fernandes, who volleyed his effort over the keeper only to be denied by the crossbar. Moments later, Fernandes fired another effort wide. It seemed that the United captain was all over the visitors’ defence.
Five minutes before the break, United went up for another corner. Maguire got his head to the ball, only for the keeper to catch his shot.
Halfway through two minutes of stoppage time, Dalot scored a stunning goal to double United’s lead. Maguire thumped a cross to Dalot on the right, who thumped his shot past the keeper and into the far corner of the net, hitting the upright on its way in.
Going into the break with a 2-0 lead, United appeared cool and confident, giving themselves a great cushion ahead of the second 45. Still, focus would be key in order for United to protect their lead and book a spot in the Europa League semi-finals.
Amorim made just one change to his lineup for the second half, bringing on Luke Shaw, who recently returned from injury, for Noussair Mazraoui.
Garnacho earned a free-kick in the final third just a minute into the second half when he was fouled. After Fernandes made his cross, Casemiro headed his effort wide, only to be ruled offside.
While Lyon dominated possession in the minutes that followed, United got on a quick break, with Garnacho losing his marker to go toe-to-toe with the keeper. After taking a moment to compose himself, the winger fired his shot into the keeper, missing a prime scoring opportunity.
Lyon came close to scoring when Corentin Tolisso took a snapshot that Onana did well to block, thereby maintaining United’s two-goal cushion with 35 minutes to play.
66 minutes in, Dorgu received a yellow card for a late challenge.
Hojlund put a through ball to Dalot on the right, who wastefully sent his shot wide of the post.
With 20 minutes to go, Talisco teed up the ball for a Lyon free-kick. While the initial cross seemed to be dealt with by Casemiro, the ball then found the head of Alexander Lacazette, who popped the ball to Corentin Tolisso to pull a goal back for the visitors.
Suddenly, the home crowd seemed nervous for the first time in the match.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles took a dangerous shot from outside the box that Onana did superbly to save. What’s more, Leny Yoro emulated Phil Jones by blocking an effort from Malick Fofana using his head due to already being on the ground. While he appeared to be injured, United could breathe a sigh of relief as he returned to his feet.
In the 78th minute, disaster struck. Nicolas Tagliafico took a soft shot from close range that Onana got a hand to, but not before it crossed the goal line. Shockingly, United had given away a two-goal lead.
Six minutes from time, Ugarte gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box. Fortunately, the wall blocked Almada’s effort.
Right after, Amorim decided to make some changes to swing the game back in United’s favour. Ugarte and Hojlund made way for Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo.
Moments from time, Tolisso went from hero to villain for Lyon when he fouled Yoro to receive a second yellow card and consequently be sent off. Suddenly, United received a lifeline in their quest for a semi-final spot.
Of course, this foul also handed United a dangerous free-kick with five minutes of stoppage time to play.
Fernandes attempted a sneaky shot at the near post, beating the defence only or the keeper to tip the ball onto the post and out for a corner.
United continued applying pressure in the visitors’ final third, yet they were unable to break the deadlock in the time that remained. The referee blew the full-time whistle, meaning that extra time would be needed.
In the opening minutes of extra time, Maguire was booked, meaning he would need to be extra vigilant going forward.
On the spur of 100 minutes, Dorgu came off for Harry Amass, while Garnacho was replaced by Christian Eriksen.
Just moments before half-time in extra time, Old Trafford was stunned into silence. A ten-man Lyon grabbed the lead through Rayan Cherki. Onana was left helpless as he saw Cherki’s unstoppable strike hit the back of the net.
Things went from bad to worse when Luke Shaw gave away a penalty by bringing down Fofana. Lacazette stepped up to take the spot kick, slotting his effort into the bottom left corner, sending Onana the wrong way. 4-2 to the visitors.
With little under 10 minutes to go, Casemiro was fouled in the box, handing United a penalty.
Fernandes struck his penalty hard and true to hand his club a lifeline. With seven minutes to go, Old Trafford erupted to provide United some motivation going into the dying minutes of the game.
United’s captain came inches within saving the day when he hit a volley that inched past the post.
Just moments later, Kobbie Mainoo produced a moment of magic to bring United back from the dead. In a flash, the youngster struck a lightning shot into the far corner to draw United level.
But if that wasn’t enough, Maguire became United’s ultimate hero, rising to produce a towering header to hand United the lead with seconds to play.
Moments later, Old Trafford erupted as the referee blew the full-time whistle. While it may have been a chaotic encounter, Amorim would be pleased with his team’s resolve, refusing to give up on the game even when staring defeat in the face.
Starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Fernandes, Hojlund, Dorgu, Yoro, Garnacho, Casemiro, Dalot, Ugarte
Subs: Shaw, Mount, Mainoo, Amass, Eriksen
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Mathew Cohen
A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
