It was a special night for Manchester United with a completely crazy victory over Lyon, securing a spot in the Europa League last four.
Old Trafford witnessed the kind of night that football fans live for on Thursday.
Manchester United made progression from the quarter-finals as difficult for themselves as possible against Lyon, fumbling a comfortable 4-2 aggregate lead at half-time against the French side.
However, Ruben Amorim’s side showed an incredible fight to battle back and win the tie 7-6 on aggregate, with one of the greatest comebacks in club history and possibly even European footballing history.
The Theatre of Dreams lived up to its name, as Rio Ferdinand stated a miracle was needed, and that is exactly what Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire provided. Aside from the goal scorers, the late comeback was made possible for United by Casemiro.
In completing the late comeback from behind victory, United made footballing history with Amorim channelling his inner Sir Alex Ferguson.
Manchester United became the first team to score twice in the 120th minute
After Amorim’s United set negative records in the 4-1 loss to Newcastle last weekend, it was all positive records being displayed after the 5-4 win over Lyon at Old Trafford.
In particular, the equaliser and winner were history-making as Mainoo and Maguire led United to become the first team in history to score two 120th-minute or later goals in a major European match.
- 114th minute – Bruno Fernandes – 4-3
- 120th minute – Kobbie Mainoo – 4-4
- 121st minute – Harry Maguire – 5-4
This came from Opta Joe, who also labelled it as being won in ‘Amorim time’, an ode to the brilliant ‘Fergie time’ which won so many games for United from the jaws of defeat.
Ferguson was at Old Trafford last night, and we can only imagine the joy he showed when the comeback was completed, as the team showed the fight and desire that was persistent throughout his time at the club.
But this was not all.
In total, extra time saw five goals scored, with Mainoo’s goal for United the pick of the bunch. This was also a record set in the chaos of Thursday night, being the first major European game in football history to see five goals scored in extra time. Which only adds to the question of how on earth this happened.
Ruben Amorim will hope 5-4 win sparks a turning point for Manchester United
After the win, suddenly any negativity around the club has been lifted, with the Europa League now looking very attainable for United. If so, Thursday night will become even more memorable and iconic.
Amorim will be hoping that it proves to be a turning point for his team, similar to a win Ferguson secured in 1990 over Nottingham Forest.
It was an FA Cup third-round clash against Forest where Mark Robins scored the winner, which is often cited as being a crucial moment for Ferguson’s success and tenure at the club.
This win is said to have sparked a never-say-die attitude, club media explains, within the Ferguson team, which became a hallmark, and something Amorim will be hoping to replicate.
Will Maguire’s goal end up living forever like Robins’? If it leads United on the road finally back to the top it very well might.
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