Football, bloody hell! It’s not over until it’s over. Manchester United can take you from one emotion to another. They certainly did last night when they secured their progress into the semi-finals of the Europa League at the expense of Lyon. The atmosphere inside Old Trafford was simply electric on a European night that will be talked about for years to come.
Both sides entered the second leg, all even after the 2-2 draw in France last week, due to goalkeeping errors. Ruben Amorim was hoping to capitalise on the home advantage and the support from the United faithful to get us through. The players entered the pitch, where a large ‘Tifo’ unfurled in the centre of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, showing images of our past success in Europe. As the chant goes, that banner read: “Never Gonna Stop!” The Reds certainly proved that right over the 120-odd minutes of the game.
PeRFECT FIRST HALF
From the first kick of the game, United were looking to press with intent, as Leny Yoro, on more than one occasion, brought the ball out of the defence to get us on the attack. Our Portuguese Magnifico, Bruno Fernandes, orchestrated things on the pitch, and he started the proceedings getting away from the Lyon player to find Alejandro Garnacho on the edge of the box, who raced the ball into the byline but cutting it back for Manuel Ugarte to put the Reds ahead in the tie.
As the opposition began to settle down, Andre Onana was called upon on a number of times to keep the ball out of the net. United then started to crank up the pressure, looking for the second goal. Bruno Fernandes came excruciatingly close after a ball over the top by Diogo Dalot struck the crossbar. With the whistle about to be blown for half time, Dalot was in the role reversal as he picked up Maguire’s ball as he shook off Tagliafico, firing the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal.
It had been the perfect 45 minutes for the Reds and looked comfortably set to go through in the competition.
SAME OLD UNITED
The second half saw an entirely different outcome. It was the case of the same old United resurfacing as we dropped in pace, leaving spaces in the midfield for Lyon to exploit effectively. United failed to clear a 71st-minute free kick, allowing Alexandre Lacazette to head the ball into the danger area where Corentin Tolisso was first to it, reducing the deficit. We had hoped it would be a mere consolation. Lyon had other ideas, levelling the tie thirteen minutes from time. The ball was pinged across the six-yard box as Nicolás Tagliafico hit it past the goal line before Onana could scoop it out, and Alexandre Lacazette then struck the rebound for good measure.
Corentin Tolisso was then shown a second yellow card for a trip on Leny Yoro in the last few minutes of the game, reducing the opposition down to 10 men. Bruno Fernandes’s subsequent free kick was parried away Lyon’s goalkeeper Lucas Perri as we headed into extra time with the tie all level.
What have we just seen???
Extra time saw the opposition break into United’s half through Malick Fofana. He was stopped, but the ball fell to Rayan Cherki, who fired it low into the goal to put the French side ahead in the game. It went from bad to worse at the beginning of the second half of extra time when Luke Shaw tripped Fofana inside the box. Alexandre Lacazette scored the penalty that left everyone inside Old Trafford expecting us to go out of Europe.
All we had left was hope. The Reds found some when Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot after Casemiro had been fouled inside the box. It was the 5,000th goal scored at Old Trafford by an United player.
Casemiro was then to turn provider as he flicked the ball inside the box into the path of Kobbie Mainoo, who cut it back and curled it past the Lyon goalkeeper to send Old Trafford faithful into raptures.
United were not finished yet, and sensed they could win the game as five minutes of injury time were added on. Casemiro again provided the cross, and Harry Maguire headed the ball home which saw the fans explode with pure joy inside the stands.
Player Ratings & MOTM
Andre Onana – 7. After being much criticised for his performance in the away leg, he made two fine saves to deny Rayan Cherki and Corentin Tolisso. Could not do much about the goals we conceded, but had the last laugh on Nemanja Matic.
Leny Yoro – 7. Brought the ball out of the defence on several occasions to bring United up the field. Cherk did get the better of him at times.
Noussair Mazraoui – 7. Started the move that led to Manuel Ugarte opening the scoring. Defended well before being taken off at half time to be replaced by Luke Shae.
Harry Maguire – 9 & MOTOM. A dominant display from our centre back and then up top by the end of the game. Provided the assist for Dalot’s goal before scoring the winning goal to send us through.
Diogo Dalot – 7.5. Played a brilliant ball into Fernandes and then controlled a similar ball from Maguire to fire home. Could not handle the pace of Fofana and was not able clear the lines before Cherki scored.
Casemiro – 8. Stopped several gaps in the midfield and moved the ball across the pitch. He was tired as we went into extra time. Won the penalty before turning provider for Mainoo and Maguire’s goals.
Manuel Ugarte – 7. Got United on the board when he slotted home into the net to give us the lead. Worked well with Casemiro in the midfield but faded towards the end before being taken off in the 88th minute
Patrick Dorgu – 6. The end product just wasn’t there but cannot lack the effort.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6.5. Always a constant threat, but wasteful with the opportunities. Assisted for Ugarte’s opener and should have made it 3-0 to United in the second half when he ran clear, but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper.
Rasmus Højlund – 5. Can see his frustration by his lack of goals, although he got no service from his team-mates.
Bruno Fernandes – 8. Orchestrated and dictated the play from deep. Played the ball into Garnacho that led to the first goal. Nearly scored the goal of the season with a Van Persie-esque volley which hit the crossbar.
Subs:
Luke Shaw – 5. His lack of game time due to injury played into Lyon’s hands. Made things even worse by giving away the penalty.
Mason Mount – 6.5. His pressing helped out when he came on as other United players began to fade
Kobbie Mainoo – 7.5. Got United back level that no one thought was possible.
Harry Amass – 6.5. Showed lots of energy and was not fazed by the occasion.
Christian Eriksen – 6.5. Remained composed when all around was in panic.
Looking ahead
Our attention now turns back to the Premier League as we face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. Though we have nothing to play for in the league, we will want to use the remaining games to build form and confidence as we look forward to our Europa League semi final against Athletic Bilbao.