Manchester United scored two goals in two extra-time minutes against Lyon to progress through to the Europa League semi-finals in the most dramatic fashion possible.
Ruben Amorim’s side looked dead and burried, trailing 6-5 on aggregate as the tie entered the final minute of extra time. Then, Kobbie Mainoo came to the rescue by smashing in a 120th minute equaliser.
With the game surely destined for penalties, just a minute later, Harry Maguire rose high to nod in Bruno Fernandes cross and send Man United through to the last four.
It was a crazy end to a topsy-turvy game in which the home side went 2-0 up, thanks to goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot. Lyon struck back in the second half with strikes from Corentin Tolisso and Nicolss Tagliafico to send the tie to extra time.
With the Ligue 1 side down to 10 men after the sending off of Tolisso, Man United looked favourites to progress. However, Lyon took a 4-3 lead on the night after goals from Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette. But that just set the stage for Man United’s late flurry. With six minutes of this match to play, Man United needed three goals to qualify. Fernandes got them going with a spot-kick before Mainoo and Maguire added their dramatic goals
Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT was at Old Trafford to judge Ruben Amorim’s side on an unforgetable night…
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1)
Andre Onana – 6.5
Decided to do a little dance in front of the away end with United making it 1-0 — he’ll never learn. Made a number of crucial saves to keep his side in it but could do nothing when Rayan Cherki drilled one past him to put Lyon up 3-2. At least he had the last laugh.
It was a huge night for Man United keeper Andre Onana who made errors in the first leg
Noussair Mazraoui – 6.5
Shook off the disastrous display up at Newcastle to look like his old self in an assured 45 minutes of action. United fans will hope his substitution at half-time is not too serious a problem.
Harry Maguire – 7
Switched off for key moments in the second half when Lyon turned the screw but did produce a sublime 50-yard ball to set Dalot free for United’s second goal. Made up for his second-half errors with the match-winning goal as he became the superhero Ruben Amorim was waiting for.
Leny Yoro – 5.5
Put his head where it hurts on a bruising night at Old Trafford. His ability to drive out from the back line is unlike anything his defensive team-mates can mirror. Got tied in knots a couple of times by Malik Fofana in the second half when United’s defence creaked — and ultimately cracked.
Diogo Dalot, who scored Man United’s second, has improved in attack over the last few weeks
Diogo Dalot – 7
A brilliant display for the most part. Full of creation and a willing runner, plus he added a well taken goal on the stroke of half-time. Has taken his game up a notch in an attacking sense since the Manchester derby. Deserved to be on the winning side.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Got the goal that was supposed to set United on their way to the semi-finals. Won the midfield battle more than he lost it and was taken off before this became really fraught. Was the one player who kept gesturing to the crowd to liven up.
Casemiro – 5
Was preferred by Amorim to stay on for the entirety and while he was solid in spells, he was overrun when Lyon’s subs took control of the game. His days in a United shirt look numbered now.
Patrick Dorgu – 4.5
Looked a bag of nerves from the first whistle and never once appeared comfortable trying to nullify the threat of Cherki. Ended up being hooked as Amorim favoured seeing the game out with 18-year-old Harry Amass.
Captain Bruno Fernandes again led by example to pull his side into the Europa League semis
Bruno Fernandes – 8.5
What a performance. Amazing. Disappointing. Amazing again. His penalty in extra time gave them a crucial lifeline and then his cross to Harry Maguire sealed the tie in the most dramatic of circumstances. Captain Fantastic does it again.
Alejandro Garnacho could have spared Man United a lot of tension if he had scored at 2-0
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Missed the golden opportunity to kill the game up 2-0 when one versus one he fired straight at the Lyon goalkeeper. That was the game-changing moment for the worse for United.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5.5
Yet another display without a goal. This was much more productive display with plenty of running and hold-up. But he waned as the game went on and it was no surprise when he came off.
MANAGER: Ruben Amorim – 8
The greatest – and craziest – night of his tenure. It was all going so smoothly, then all so wrong, but his tactical tweaks did work with Kobbie Mainoo scoring as the false 9 and Harry Maguire nodding in the winner when sent up front.
