Manchester United fans were left in awe at one of Ruben Amorim’s players producing a “flashback” display against Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday.
Ruben Amorim kept his hopes alive of lifting major silverware as Manchester United manager in the 2024-25 campaign after his side’s Europa League comeback win.
The Europa League run remains United’s best shot of securing European football for the 2025-26 season and ensuring a route back to the Champions League.
The Red Devils travelled to the Parc Olympique Lyonnais last Thursday and United played out a 2-2 draw against Lyon in the first-leg Europa League quarter-final tie.
Following the result in France between United and Lyon, Amorim’s men welcomed the Ligue 1 outfit to Old Trafford on Thursday evening for the return-leg clash.
United were 2-0 up at half-time against Lyon at Old Trafford after Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot both found the back of the net in the second-leg match.
However, Lyon fought back against United and the French club forced the tie into extra time after Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico netted for their side.
Corentin Tolisso was sent off in regular playing time, but Lyon punished United in extra time and stunned the Red Devils at Old Trafford in the Europa League.
Rayan Cherki put Lyon 3-2 up in the first half of extra time before Alexandre Lacazette scored from the spot-kick past Andre Onana in the second half.
Man Utd fans’ reaction to Casemiro’s display for Ruben Amorim’s men vs Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals spoke volumes
Manchester United rallied back against Lyon in the second half of extra time and Bruno Fernandes found the back of the net from his penalty in the 114th minute.
Kobbie Mainoo had come off the bench for United and the 19-year-old England midfielder found an important equaliser for the Red Devils in the 120th minute.
However, Ruben Amorim’s men ensured that they snatched the win on Thursday evening after Harry Maguire scored the winner in second-half injury time.
Casemiro played the full match for United and the 33-year-old former Real Madrid star has impressed for Red Devils boss Amorim in the Europa League this season.
He showed his incredible importance on the European stage again, including winning United’s penalty and providing assists to both Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire.
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, waxed lyrical about Casemiro’s performance for United in the 5-4 comeback win over Lyon.
One X user wrote: “I LOVE CASEMIRO [sic]. He dragged us through those last [six] minutes. Involved in all [three] goals. That is what you call mentality. My MOTM. Warrior!”
While a second added: “Can we take a moment to give Casemiro his flowers. Made both the equaliser and the winner with exquisite passes to Kobbie and Harry. Absolute warrior.”
“Casemiro is a real warrior,” a United fan said.
Somebody else posted: “Casemiro was the key to Real Madrid’s comebacks all along.”
While a fifth tweeted: “Uncle Casemiro with that Madrid flashback for one last dance this season – what a man.”
“That was prime Madrid Casemiro right there,” another Red Devils supporter claimed.
Someone else commented: “Casemiro actually invoked his prime Madrid days in this game, won a penalty, then assisted Mainoo and Maguire to win the game.”
And an eighth suggested: “Casemiro turning on his prime Real Madrid self for [two] crazy assists is not being spoken of.”
Ruben Amorim’s eye-opening assessment of Man Utd’s performance vs Lyon at Old Trafford in the quarter-final win in the Europa League
Speaking after United’s win over Lyon at Old Trafford, Amorim shared his two cents on why the Red Devils have been better in the Europa League under him.
“We must recognise the context, we lack a lot of characteristics in our team, physicality is a problem,” he told TNT Sports, as per BBC Sport.
“When we play against European teams, we can cope better with that, in [the] Premier League we suffer a lot.”
United will now face La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals on 1st May at the San Mames Stadium in Spain.
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