Perfectly befitting their up-and-down season, Manchester United took the scenic route (and then some) to reach the semifinals of the Europa League with a 5-4 victory (7-6 on aggregate) over Lyon on Thursday.
MORE - Europa League schedule & bracket | Premier League race for European places
Ruben Amorim’s side even made the first leg was needlessly complicated last week as they conceded a 95th-minute equalizer when they looked sure to take a 2-1 lead back to Old Trafford, but that was nothing compared to what they did against the 10 men of Lyon at Old Trafford.
From 2-0 ahead on the night (4-2 on aggregate) after 70 minutes, to 2-2 (4-4) after 78, to 2-4 (4-6) down 20 minutes into extra-time, to level at 4-4 (6-6) on 120 minutes and, finally, 5-4 (7-6) when Harry Maguire thumped a header home to thunderous, disbelieving celebration — truly a Hollywood script of an ending.
Lyon took the lead (and were actually the better side for 20-plus minutes) after Corentin Tolisso was sent off in the 89th minute. Rayan Cherki, who scored the late equalizer in France, struck from the edge of the box and former Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette scored from the penalty spot on 105 and 110 minutes. Man United were shellshocked and the Old Trafford faithful couldn’t believe what they were witnessing as their last glimmer of hope for the 2024-25 season was quickly fading.
Alas, United were handed a lifeline when Casemiro was fouled inside the penalty area and Bruno Fernandes does was he typically does from the spot in the 114th minute. Kobbie Mainoo then curled home a stunner just before the clock hit 120:00 and, with five minutes of stoppage time to be played, there was only one logical outcome. Casemiro floated a cross to the back post, Maguire cleared a yard of space to go up and cap off a night that no United supporter will ever forget.
Player ratings - Manchester United vs Lyon
What’s next?
- Manchester United vs Wolves — Sunday, 9 am ET
- Saint-Etienne vs Lyon — Sunday, 2:45 pm ET
- Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United — May 1 (semifinal first leg
How to watch Manchester United vs Lyon live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Thursday (April 17)
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
Manchester United vs Lyon live updates - by Andy Edwards
Manchester United vs Lyon final score: 5-4 (7-6 agg.)
Goalscorers: Manuel Ugarte (10'), Diogo Dalot (45'+1), Corentin Tolisso (71'), Nicolas Tagliafico (78'), Rayan Cherki (105'), Alexandre Lacazette (110' - PK), Bruno Fernandes (114' - PK), Kobbie Mainoo (120'), Harry Maguire (120'+1)
GOAL! Man United 5-4 (7-6 agg.) Lyon: Maguire heads home a minute later, Old Trafford erupts (120'+1)
https://x.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1912986704975143340
GOAL! Man United 4-4 (6-6 agg.) Lyon: Mainoo curls a stunner to level things once again (120')
https://x.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1912986587031384507
GOAL! Man United 3-4 (5-6 agg.) Lyon: Bruno hammers a penalty for a grandstand finish (114')
Bruno Fernandes gives Manchester United a glimmer of hope ✨ pic.twitter.com/nCsEYWvS1s
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 17, 2025
GOAL! Man United 2-4 (4-6 agg.) Lyon: Lacazette converts from the spot for 10-man Lyon (110')
GOAL! Man United 2-3 (4-5 agg.) Lyon: Cherki drills one home to complete the comeback (105')
TEN MAN LYON SILENCE OLD TRAFFORD IN EXTRA TIME 😳 pic.twitter.com/LPuxRPBZiD
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 17, 2025
RED CARD! Tolisso gets second yellow for tripping Yoro (89')
GOAL! Man United 2-2 (4-4 agg.) Lyon: Tagliafico hooks it home at the back post (78')
GOAL! Man United 2-1 (4-3 agg.) Lyon: Tolisso heads home from close range (71')
LYON GRAB TWO GOALS IN SEVEN MINUTES TO LEVEL THE TIE ⚡ pic.twitter.com/nsZdopmnGs
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 17, 2025
GOAL! Man United 2-0 (4-2 agg.) Lyon: Dalot slots home with a real striker’s finish (45'+1)
Diogo Dalot shakes off the Lyon defender and doubles Manchester United's lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/n6OJgq8Aw0
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 17, 2025
GOAL! Man United 1-0 (3-2 agg.) Lyon: Ugarte slots home Garnacho’s cut-back cross (10')
Alejandro Garnacho carves open the Lyon defense with a perfect ball for Manuel Ugarte to finish 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WZNaE34olc
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 17, 2025
Manchester United starting lineup
Onana - Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro - Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu - Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund
Lyon starting lineup
Perri - Matiland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico - Akouokou, Tolisso, Veretout - Cherki, Almada, Mikautadze
After two Andre Onana errors allowed Lyon to salvage a 2-2 draw from the first leg, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim will still be angry about the injury-time equalizer his side conceded after putting themselves in a strong position for the second leg. Amorim rested Onana for the 4-1 hammering at Newcastle on Sunday and despite all of the noise around his pre-game comments about Lyon last week, the Cameroonian goalkeeper is likely to come back into the lineup. With United languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, this game is win or bust for their season.
As for Lyon, well, they were dangerous throughout the first leg and are playing with no fear whatsoever. Everybody expects Man United to somehow find a way to win at Old Trafford and go through, but Lyon have lost just two of their last 12 games in all competitions and sit within two points of second place in Ligue 1. They will have taken plenty of confidence from their first leg performance and they now know how easily they can rattle United.
Manchester United team news, focus
There is so much pressure on this United side for this game as winning the Europa League is the only way they’re going to salvage this horror season. Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes looked sharp in the first half at Newcastle on Sunday but United faded badly in the second half as Amorim rested key players. Zirkzee suffered an injury and is out so he can’t build on his late goal at Lyon in the first leg, with Hojlund, Garnacho and Fernandes to start in attack once again. The main aim for United is to stay solid with Yoro, Maguire and Lindelof likely to be the back three. Mainoo could come in to play a more substantial role at a key moment, while Shaw and Eriksen are experienced options off the bench.
OUT: Toby Collyer (knock), Matthijs de Ligt (unspecified), Amad Diallo (ankle - out for season), Jonny Evans (lower back), Lisandro Martinez (torn ACL - MORE), Joshua Zirzkee (thigh)
Lyon team news, focus
Talented forward Ernest Nuamah is out after suffering an ACL injury earlier this month, while Lyon have also been without promising winger Malick Fofana. Tolisso and Cherki were excellent in the first leg, with the latter causing havoc with his clever passes and direct running. Almada was also a threat and veteran Lacazette will also play a big role, either from the start or off the bench.
Manchester United vs Lyon prediction
This is going to be tense but a bit of magic from Fernandes or Garnacho will likely get the job done. Manchester United 2-1 Lyon (Manchester United 4-3 Lyon on aggregate).
