Lyon star wanted by Man Utd is doing ‘incredible things’, fans warned by teammate ‘they will know’ him

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Corentin Tolisso has issued a warning about one of Lyon’s star players ahead of their Europa League quarter-final decider against Manchester United.

It’s all to play for at Old Trafford when Manchester United host Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night.

United drew 2-2 against Lyon in France last week which left the tie wide open for the second-leg. The headlines that night were dominated by United goalkeeper Andre Onana after two costly mistakes that led to goals for the Ligue 1 outfit.

However, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee got on the scoresheet as United were the better side on the night, deserving more than a draw.

That game has been put to the back of Ruben Amorim’s memory as United try to secure a place in the Europa League semi-finals. The United head coach will be without Zirkzee due to a hamstring injury sustained in United’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle on United, while Onana will return to his role between the sticks after Altay Bayindir made his first Premier League appearance for the club.

Having played Lyon last week, Amorim shouldn’t need to advise his players on any of Lyon’s most threatening players.

Corentin Tolisso tips Rayan Cherki to silence Man Utd

One Lyon player who stood out in the first-leg was United transfer target Rayan Cherki, who scored an equaliser to seal the draw late in stoppage-time.

Reports suggest United are leading the race to sign Cherki at the end of the season. It’s suggested that Cherki would cost just £20 million as his contract expires in 2026.

Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso, formerly of Bayern Munich, spoke brazenly about Cherki ahead of the game during Paulo Fonseca’s press conference.

With English reporters in attendance, Tolisso teased their lack of knowledge when it comes to Lyon’s star player Cherki.

“I want to tell them that they have not watched much football in recent months,” Tolisso told reporters on Wednesday. “He is doing incredible things that are circulating on social networks.

“He is performing better statistically, he scores, he makes assists. I hope that they will know Rayan Cherki even more after tomorrow’s match… and that they will hate him even more too [laughs].”

Tolisso’s comments suggest Lyon players believe they can shift the responsibility of the tie on the shoulders of a 21-year-old playmaker. Cherki could use the game as another way to audition in front of United with the summer transfer window just around the corner.

Rayan Cherki stats vs Man Utd

The French winger has only played against United once in his career, scoring in the 2-2 draw last week.

Cherki completed the most dribbles (4) in the match and created more chances (4) than any other player on the pitch.

He will be aiming to go one step further this time around by helping Lyon beat United to book a place in the Europa League semi-finals.

Amorim’s side will be trying to prevent that from happening because it would make for a slow end to the 2024/25 campaign for the Reds, with six Premier League matches left to play.