Manchester United and Lyon played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie.
A costly error from André Onana, who had stolen the headlines before kickoff, gave Lyon the lead in the 25th minute after he misjudged Thiago Almada’s inviting cross.
United equalised just before the interval when Manuel Ugarte’s powerful strike into the box was deftly flicked into the back of the net by Leny Yoro.
In the 88th minute, United thought they had won it after Joshua Zirkzee’s second goal in the competition this season, but Lyon’s talisman, Rayan Cherki, was on hand to capitalise on another error by Manchester United’s goalkeeper.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs it happened
After a war of words in the build up between Nemanja Matić and André Onana, a fiery tone had been set for Lyon and Manchester United’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash.
Ruben Amorim’s side quickly settled into the game, managing to cope with the raucous atmosphere generated by the passionate home support at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. In the 18th minute, Patrick Dorgu dispossessed Ainsley Maitland-Niles, allowing space for him to drive into the box and cut it back to Rasmus Højlund, but the Danish striker, devoid of confidence, scuffed his effort.
However, United’s positive start was quickly undone by the villain of the tie, André Onana. The Cameroonian goalkeeper went on to rue his pre-game comments after he flapped at Thiago Almada’s in-swinging cross and failed to prevent it from creeping into the right-hand corner.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Red Devils managed to draw things level on the stroke of half time after a cute header from Leny Yoro. Fernandes’ free-kick was initially punched clear by Lucas Perri, but it fell to Manuel Ugarte on the edge of the box who volleyed it back into the area, allowing Yoro to guide it into the bottom corner for his first goal in a Manchester United shirt.
The second half saw an equal split of possession and chances created for either side. Just after the hour mark, Lyon came close to retaking the lead after a neat combination between Corentin Tolisso and Alexandre Lacazette – the former skipped into the box before producing a tame effort at goal.
In the 79th minute, it was United’s turn to knock on the opposition door. Dorgu’s pinpoint cross found Alejandro Garnacho in the box, but the Argentinian’s effort bounced into the ground, allowing Perri to tip it over the bar. From the resulting corner, Casemiro’s header flew narrowly past the post.
United’s late pressure saw them incredibly take the lead with just two minutes of regulation time remaining. Kobbie Mainoo, making his first appearance since returning from injury, sweeped up the second ball and headed it smartly out wide to Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder clipped in a delightful cross to the back post for substitute Joshua Zirkzee, who headed home to hand the Red Devils a pivotal lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe drama was far from over in France. In the fifth minute of injury time, Rayan Cherki equalised at the death for Lyon courtesy of another mistake from Onana. Lacazette’s skilfull flick in the box fell to Georges Mikautadze, who struck a powerful effort towards goal. Despite blocking the shot, Onana spilt the ball into the path of Cherki, who dinked it over the goalkeeper to secure a precious leveller.
The tie is set up for a classic European showdown at Old Trafford next week as both sides will fancy their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. Before that, Amorim’s side travel to Newcastle on Sunday in the Premier League, whilst Paulo Fonseca’s side face Auxerre in Ligue 1.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe lineups
LYO: Perri; Tagliafico, Niakhaté, Mata, Maitland-Niles; Veretout, Akouokou, Tolisso; Almada, Mikautadze, Cherki
MUN: Onana; Dorgu, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui, Dalot; Ugarte, Casemiro; Garnacho, Højlund, Fernandes