In a thrilling Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday night at Old Trafford, Manchester United pulled off an extraordinary comeback against Lyon, securing their place in the semi-finals with a 7-6 aggregate victory. The Reds, who once seemed on the brink of an embarrassing exit, stunned fans and critics alike when they scored three late goals in extra time to seal the win.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions at Old Trafford
Manchester United started the match strongly, building on their first-leg advantage with a commanding 2-0 lead by halftime. However, the game swiftly took a dramatic turn. Lyon, despite being reduced to 10 men earlier, fought back with fierce determination and astonishing resilience. They overturned the deficit by scoring four unanswered goals, leaving the home crowd stunned as United found themselves trailing 4-2 midway through the match.
The situation looked bleak for the Red Devils as Lyon appeared to be cruising toward a historic upset at Old Trafford. The momentum seemed firmly in favor of the French Ligue 1 side until the game entered the final minutes of extra time. It was here that Manchester United showcased remarkable grit and spirit, netting three crucial goals to clinch a hard-fought 7-6 aggregate win.
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Meulensteen Hails Maguire and Mainoo’s Impactful Performance
Former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen, now a respected football analyst, spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live and lavished praise on two standout players – Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo – who played pivotal roles in the comeback.
“Manchester United were down and out at one point,” Meulensteen remarked. “The decision by Lyon’s coach Ruben Amorim to put Harry Maguire upfront came at a critical moment, but even then, it looked like Lyon had all the momentum going 4-2 up. The penalty against United pretty much seemed like the end of the road.”
According to Meulensteen, what followed was nothing short of remarkable. “You could see the Lyon players starting to crumble under the pressure as Maguire and Mainoo stepped up when it mattered most. The goals they scored were amazing and came under intense pressure,” he added.
Meulensteen also noted the reaction of Lyon’s coach, Ruben Amorim, who was reportedly desperate to escape the dressing room as the comeback unfolded—highlighting just how unexpected and dramatic the final moments were.
United’s Next Challenge: Athletic Bilbao
With this victory, Manchester United now shift their focus to the semi-finals, where they will face La Liga side Athletic Bilbao. This next fixture promises to be another hard-fought test as United look to extend their impressive Europa League run and chase silverware this season.
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The team’s spirit and resilience will be critical, especially after such a rollercoaster quarter-final tie. Fans will be eager to see if Maguire and Mainoo, the surprise heroes against Lyon, can continue to influence big moments in the semi-finals.
As the Europa League reaches its climax, Manchester United’s dramatic win serves as a reminder that in football, resilience and belief can turn even the direst situations around, creating unforgettable moments for players and supporters alike.
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