Manchester United were moments away from crashing out of the Europa League in the most humiliating manner before their stunning late comeback sealed a famous win at Old Trafford.
Trailing by a goal heading into stoppage-time is a scenario they are familiar with – and goals from Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire 87 seconds apart gave them a thrilling victory in “Fergie Time” with Sir Alex Ferguson watching on from the stands.
Here is how one of the great European nights unravelled.
Cruising at half-time
There was nothing to suggest such drama would envelop at the interval when United were comfortably ahead. They were good value for their lead too, with Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot finishing neatly.
The perfect start for Man United 🤩
Fernandes and Garnacho link-up to find Ugarte with space in the area 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/fcPUftSYbg
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Man United double their lead! 🔴
Harry Maguire’s precise pass is brought down and finished off brilliantly by Diogo Dalot 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/P8tdi30Xll
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Lyon were dreadful. They looked rocky any time United played the ball over the top, which led to both goals. The French side could not get behind United’s defence and were hoping for a lucky way back into the game – anything to give them hope.
Managers make their move
Substitutions were crucial to the action, with Ruben Amorim making the first move by bringing on Luke Shaw at the interval as Noussair Mazraoui was forced off. That changed the look of United’s defence, with Shaw making his second appearance since December after his injury problems.
Paulo Fonseca totally changed the game with his subs, particularly bringing on Malick Fofana with his direct running at United’s defence causing them to panic. The Belgium winger was excellent and helped mount a comeback, while Tanner Tessmann and Alexandre Lacazette also played their part.
Missed chances
Alejandro Garnacho was guilty of misses for United which would have put the tie to bed. He cut inside and saw his most clear effort save Lucas Perri. He was also off target from a tight angle when he really should have passed to Rasmus Hojlund, who kicked the post in frustration.
The comeback kings of Lyon
Corentin Tolisso started the fightback with a header that flew in – but United really should have cleared away the set-piece before the French midfielder had sight of goal. It was a sloppy one to concede and United then got nervous, particularly with Fofana causing them problems.
Nicolas Tagliafico made it 4-4 on aggregate with an equaliser, which again was avoidable. Andre Onana had taunted Lyon fans when United were on top, celebrating in front of them in response to the war of words with Nemanja Matic last week. But he was slow to react and Tagliafico’s effort crossed the line, with Lacazette following in just in case.
Flashpoints
There were talking points all over the pitch, including Leny Yoro channelling his inner Phil Jones and heading while on the floor to block a shot. It was brave defending from the young French defender, who needed treatment.
Leny Yoro paying homage to Phil Jones with that headed tackle 👏 pic.twitter.com/CiuPKkliNi
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
But the big moment late on came when Tolisso was dismissed for his second yellow card. He was penalised for a pull back on Yoro but it looked harsh from Swiss ref Sandro Schärer. One of Lyon’s analysts is in the press box and making his feelings clear on the Tolisso sending off. “It was nothing! Putain, damn it!” was his verdict.
United calamity
Rayan Cherki was visibly flagging in extra-time but put in one last effort to get Lyon ahead in the tie. It was a neat finish from the edge of the area that got past Onana, sending the travelling fans wild. With Harry Maguire sent up front for the final 15 minutes of extra-time, United were a mess at the back.
CHERKI HAS DONE IT AGAIN!
The 10-men of Lyon have completed the comeback at Old Trafford 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/kLBZSd6kLd
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Fofana took advantage and earned a penalty, squeezing between Yoro and Shaw but getting clipped by the latter. It was a clear penalty that Lacazette tucked away after stuttering in his run-up. United fans were heading for the exits, with one young boy seen in tears, and Amorim’s players had 11 minutes to save their season.
Glimmer of hope
United needed the help of VAR but got a penalty after Casemiro was bundled over from behind by Tagliafico. If there was a player to trust with the penalty, it was Bruno Fernandes. The United captain stuck it away confidently.
Man United are back in this…
Bruno Fernandes makes no mistake from the spot 🎩
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/N2ubsv3ENq
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Fergie time
United piled on the pressure, pouring forward for their final chance to send the match to penalties. Amid the chaos, it seemed only Kobbie Mainoo had a cool head, finding a yard of room for himself before side-footing into the net.
KOBBIE MAINOO. THE SCENES! 🤯🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/mO2hUAFEsf
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Surely the match was heading to penalties now? United had other ideas, with Casemiro crossing to the far post where makeshift striker Maguire was there to finish with a header across the face of the goal. And what about the young boy who was seen in tears? He was lofted high into the Old Trafford sky in celebration of an incredible night.
Core memory established ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LnyAbCqrod
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Manchester United were moments away from crashing out of the Europa League in the most humiliating manner before their stunning late comeback sealed a famous win at Old Trafford.
Trailing by a goal heading into stoppage-time is a scenario they are familiar with – and goals from Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire 87 seconds apart gave them a thrilling victory in “Fergie Time” with Sir Alex Ferguson watching on from the stands.
Here is how one of the great European nights unravelled.
Cruising at half-time
There was nothing to suggest such drama would envelop at the interval when United were comfortably ahead. They were good value for their lead too, with Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot finishing neatly.
The perfect start for Man United 🤩
Fernandes and Garnacho link-up to find Ugarte with space in the area 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/fcPUftSYbg
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Man United double their lead! 🔴
Harry Maguire’s precise pass is brought down and finished off brilliantly by Diogo Dalot 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/P8tdi30Xll
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Lyon were dreadful. They looked rocky any time United played the ball over the top, which led to both goals. The French side could not get behind United’s defence and were hoping for a lucky way back into the game – anything to give them hope.
Managers make their move
Substitutions were crucial to the action, with Ruben Amorim making the first move by bringing on Luke Shaw at the interval as Noussair Mazraoui was forced off. That changed the look of United’s defence, with Shaw making his second appearance since December after his injury problems.
Paulo Fonseca totally changed the game with his subs, particularly bringing on Malick Fofana with his direct running at United’s defence causing them to panic. The Belgium winger was excellent and helped mount a comeback, while Tanner Tessmann and Alexandre Lacazette also played their part.
Missed chances
Alejandro Garnacho was guilty of misses for United which would have put the tie to bed. He cut inside and saw his most clear effort save Lucas Perri. He was also off target from a tight angle when he really should have passed to Rasmus Hojlund, who kicked the post in frustration.
The comeback kings of Lyon
Corentin Tolisso started the fightback with a header that flew in – but United really should have cleared away the set-piece before the French midfielder had sight of goal. It was a sloppy one to concede and United then got nervous, particularly with Fofana causing them problems.
Nicolas Tagliafico made it 4-4 on aggregate with an equaliser, which again was avoidable. Andre Onana had taunted Lyon fans when United were on top, celebrating in front of them in response to the war of words with Nemanja Matic last week. But he was slow to react and Tagliafico’s effort crossed the line, with Lacazette following in just in case.
Flashpoints
There were talking points all over the pitch, including Leny Yoro channelling his inner Phil Jones and heading while on the floor to block a shot. It was brave defending from the young French defender, who needed treatment.
Leny Yoro paying homage to Phil Jones with that headed tackle 👏 pic.twitter.com/CiuPKkliNi
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
But the big moment late on came when Tolisso was dismissed for his second yellow card. He was penalised for a pull back on Yoro but it looked harsh from Swiss ref Sandro Schärer. One of Lyon’s analysts is in the press box and making his feelings clear on the Tolisso sending off. “It was nothing! Putain, damn it!” was his verdict.
United calamity
Rayan Cherki was visibly flagging in extra-time but put in one last effort to get Lyon ahead in the tie. It was a neat finish from the edge of the area that got past Onana, sending the travelling fans wild. With Harry Maguire sent up front for the final 15 minutes of extra-time, United were a mess at the back.
CHERKI HAS DONE IT AGAIN!
The 10-men of Lyon have completed the comeback at Old Trafford 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/kLBZSd6kLd
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Fofana took advantage and earned a penalty, squeezing between Yoro and Shaw but getting clipped by the latter. It was a clear penalty that Lacazette tucked away after stuttering in his run-up. United fans were heading for the exits, with one young boy seen in tears, and Amorim’s players had 11 minutes to save their season.
Glimmer of hope
United needed the help of VAR but got a penalty after Casemiro was bundled over from behind by Tagliafico. If there was a player to trust with the penalty, it was Bruno Fernandes. The United captain stuck it away confidently.
Man United are back in this…
Bruno Fernandes makes no mistake from the spot 🎩
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/N2ubsv3ENq
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Fergie time
United piled on the pressure, pouring forward for their final chance to send the match to penalties. Amid the chaos, it seemed only Kobbie Mainoo had a cool head, finding a yard of room for himself before side-footing into the net.
KOBBIE MAINOO. THE SCENES! 🤯🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/mO2hUAFEsf
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Surely the match was heading to penalties now? United had other ideas, with Casemiro crossing to the far post where makeshift striker Maguire was there to finish with a header across the face of the goal. And what about the young boy who was seen in tears? He was lofted high into the Old Trafford sky in celebration of an incredible night.
Core memory established ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LnyAbCqrod
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
