The atmosphere at Old Trafford was electric as Manchester United secured a place in the Europa League semi-finals with a 5-4 win over Lyon.
Manchester United made the perfect start in their Europa League quarter-final second-leg when Manuel Ugarte opened the scoring after 10 minutes.
There was plenty of aggression in Manchester United’s play in the opening 15 minutes and it showed plenty of intent, making Ruben Amorim’s side deserving of their early lead.
The first goal showed sublime link-up play between Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, who found the Uruguayan midfielder lurking inside the box.
Andre Onana, who celebrated the opener in front of the Lyon fans, was forced into a fine save to deny United target Rayan Cherki after the half-hour mark.
On the brink of half-time, United doubled their lead when Diogo Dalot continued his goalscoring run in the Europa League with a brilliant strike off the post.
Onana was forced to make more saves after the break as Lyon applied more pressure. After 54 minutes, Corentin Tolisso was allowed both time and space and turn inside the box, before the Cameroonian goalkeeper denied the French midfielder’s shot.
Lyon pulled one back when Tolisso headed past Onana to become the second player for the club to score at Old Trafford after 70 minutes of play. It gave the French side a sense of belief towards the closing stages.
Leny Yoro required attention after winning the bravery award for blocking a shot with his head, but it wasn’t long before Tagliafico levelled the scoring.
United took a late advantage when Tolisso was sent off for a second yellow card. The Frenchman, who started the comeback, was unfortunate to be dismissed but the majority at Old Trafford couldn’t care less about that.
Lyon were made feel comfortable despite the fact that they were down to 10 men when Cherki showed why he is being linked with a move to United by scoring to give Lyon the lead in extra time with a sublime strike that Onana could do nothing about.
It became a case of United losing their head as Luke Shaw conceded a penalty for a foul inside the box. That was before Alexandre Lacazette converted from the spot to make it 4-2.
More drama would unfold after Casemiro won a penalty in the dying minutes to give United a lifeline, only for Bruno Fernandes to send his effort into the bottom right corner.
With the clock ticking down, Kobbie Mainoo received the ball inside the box and calmly sent his effort into the corner like he did against Liverpool last season.
That was all before Harry Maguire scored the winning goal playing as a centre forward.
Rare run of goal contributions for Manuel Ugarte
After registering an assist in United’s 2-2 draw against Lyon in the first-leg, Manuel Ugarte went one step better by getting his name on the scoresheet at Old Trafford.
That means he has two goal involvements against Lyon, over two games, which is more than he had for both Paris Saint-Germain and Sporting CP in European competition.
Ugarte has room to improve but he stood up tonight and performed well against Lyon.
Diogo Dalot equals Mohamed Salah record for European goals this season
United went in at half-time 2-0 up thanks to a late goal from Dalot when his low drive went in off the post.
Dalot, who now has eight goals and assists in all competitions this season, has scored three in Europe this season.
That’s the same amount that Mohamed Salah managed in Europe for Liverpool this season.
Two goals in six minutes
United were in total control until six minutes of madness turned the tie on his head when they scored two goals to make it 2-2, after looking like they were dead and buried in the tie.
The Lyon fans grew in voice because they could see that the United players were feeling fatigued after the break.
It raises serious questions about United’s sloppy defending on the night but nobody will be surprised by that given the season we’ve had.
Rayan Cherki shows his class
Lyon’s biggest threat in the game was Cherki, the 21-year-old playmaker who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old scored Lyon’s equaliser in France last week and emphasised why he’s being linked with a big move this summer.
United had to work hard to keep him quiet as he had another good audition in front of Ineos chiefs.
The Frenchman gave Lyon the lead in extra time to make it 3-2 with a lethal finish. It was his fourth goal in the Europa League this season.
Man Utd keep unbeaten record alive
United’s 5-4 win means their unbeaten run in the Europa League remains.
Amorim’s dream of leading United to Bilbao this May is alive after a chaotic end quarter-final tie.
That, of course, will have an impact on United’s transfer kitty in the summer.
It’s an incredible way to win a dramatic tie.
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