Old Trafford was treated to another memorable night under the lights as Manchester United staged an impossible comeback to beat Lyon in the Europa League.
It was the biggest game of Ruben Amorim’s managerial career, and at one stage it looked like it had gone completely wrong, as Manchester United threw away a 2-0 lead to end up trailing 4-2 in extra time.
With seven minutes remaining, most sides would have accepted defeat, but not United, as Bruno Fernandes converted from the penalty spot to spark an incredible comeback. This goal saw United fans who left early look silly as Joshua Zirkzee pointed out.
With minutes remaining, Kobbie Mainoo scored an equaliser, before Harry Maguire converted a brilliant header to hand United a 5-4 victory over Lyon and 7-6 on aggregate, sending Old Trafford wild in the process.
It was an absolutely huge win, with the campaign resting on Europa League success; defeat would have all but concluded the season. But United has something to play for with a semi-final clash against Athletic Bilbao set for the 1st of May.
There were some big winners for United in the win over Lyon, with one man in particular coming out of the game with serious praise.
Wes Brown raves over Kobbie Mainoo’s finish for Manchester United
As brilliant as the win was for United, there will be an underlying sense of frustration tomorrow morning at Carrington for the fact that the game was let slip from such a dominant position.
But one man who can hold his head high is Mainoo, as the 19-year-old’s goal was the big one which spurred United on to win the game.
Speaking at full-time on MUTV, former United defender Wes Brown was full of praise for Mainoo and the way he managed to score.
“Kobbie for me… I’ve just seen the goal from a bit higher, and his touch to take it away from the defender on the volley, then moves it again, then just curls it into the back of the net.
“The composure… It’s the hardest thing to do, score a goal, and it just looked effortless.”
It was a spectacular goal from Mainoo which saw him back at his electric best inside the box, as he also impressed Paul Scholes who commented on TNT Sports after the game.
“Kobbie Mainoo with his brilliant goal.”
Additionally, United fans were delighted with Mainoo’s performance against Lyon, taking to X to declare this.
Kobbie Mainoo could be a temporary solution to Ruben Amorim’s striker problem
Heading into Thursday night’s game, the lack of striker options was highlighted with Rasmus Hojlund the only senior striker available to Amorim. This was as Joshua Zirkzee’s season was brought to an end due to a hamstring injury.
This left Hojlund with a potentially make-or-break month as the striker for Amorim’s side, and just one game into this run, he has seen Mainoo replace him in the biggest game of the season and have an impact he could not.
Mainoo did more as a striker than Hojlund, with the goal proving this to be the case, and lets not forget Amorim had been trialling the teenage United academy graduate up front before his injury.
This is no doubt a temporary solution with a permanent signing expected to arrive this summer, but it could signal the end for Hojlund. If a midfielder can replace him up top, he stands no chance when a new number nine arrives.
It will be interesting to see who Amorim goes with on Sunday.
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