Old Trafford bore witness to a European thriller for the ages as Manchester United clawed their way from the brink of despair to the cusp of glory in a heart-stopping 5-4 extra-time win over Lyon. With their domestic season floundering and European hopes hanging by a thread, the Red Devils delivered a jaw-dropping fightback to book their place in the Europa League semi-finals.
Entering the quarter-final second leg under immense pressure, United knew defeat would not only end their European adventure but all but confirm a trophyless, qualification-free campaign. And for much of the night, that gloomy prospect loomed large.
Early goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot gave United hope, but Lyon responded with steel and precision. Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico restored parity across the tie, dragging the match into extra-time with the score delicately poised.
Lyon were reduced to ten men following Tolisso’s dismissal, yet still managed to shock the hosts once more. Rayan Cherki slalomed through United’s defence to put the visitors ahead, and Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty soon after seemed to write the final chapter of United’s European campaign.
But Manchester United are rarely predictable, and never truly out of it. With time slipping away, Bruno Fernandes coolly converted a penalty in the 114th minute, sparking flickers of belief. Substitute Kobbie Mainoo then levelled the tie in the 120th minute, sending the stadium into raptures.
Yet the best — and most unexpected — was still to come. In the dying embers of extra-time, Harry Maguire soared highest to nod home the winner, igniting scenes of sheer delirium. From the edge of elimination to a euphoric 7-6 aggregate triumph, United had flipped the script in sensational style.
Next up: a semi-final showdown with Athletic Bilbao, and the chance to salvage silverware from a season teetering on collapse.
