Nemanja Matic speaks out on how he really feels facing Man Utd with Lyon, ‘It’s obviously…’

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Manchester United take on Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals, which means Nemanja Matic will be plotting the demise of his former club.

Still aiming to salvage Manchester United’s season, Ruben Amorim will hope his team can remain unbeaten in the Europa League as they look to go all the way in UEFA’s second-rate competition.

United travel to France to face Lyon at Groupama Stadium in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

The last time these two teams met was in 2008 when the Reds won the Champions League, so this will be their first encounter in the Europa League, with a place in the semi-final up for grabs.

In the round of 16, United beat Real Sociedad 5-2 on aggregate, while Lyon breezed past FCSB.

United are favourites to progress in the competition after losing just one of their last 21 Europa League matches – a 3-0 defeat away to Sevilla in April 2023.

Nemanja Matic hopes to get one over Manchester United

Lyon’s starting line-up on Thursday night will include a familiar face.

Nemanja Matic, 36, will start for Paulo Fonseca’s side after previously spending five years at Old Trafford.

The Serb still plays at a high level after establishing himself as a key figure in the Lyon midfield, despite leaving United three years ago.

Speaking to Lyon club media ahead of the match, Matic explained that it will be a ‘special match’ and that the French outfit has set an objective to win the Europa League.

“The first match will be at home,” Matic said. “It’s obviously a special match for me, because I spent five years there.

“But as I said, I’m focused on our goal: another final. I said at the start of the season that we wanted to win the Europa League.

“Of course, you have to take it step by step, opponent by opponent. And Manchester United are very tough opponents.

“In the quarter-finals, there are never favourites. It’s 50-50. But I hope this time it will be us.”

Matic has made 34 appearances for Lyon across all competitions this season.

Road to Europa League quarter-finals

With 23 goals in ten games in this season’s Europa League, Lyon boasts a range of attacking players that could inflict pain on United’s defence, including Rayan Cherki.

The Reds haven’t had that much luck in front of goal but they’re the only team left in the Europa League yet to lose a game.

Despite a slow league phase – drawing against FC Twente, FC Porto and Fenerbahce – United went up a gear when they beat Real Sociedad 5-2 in the round of 16.

Lyon made light work of their round of 16 tie against FCSB, winning 7-1 on aggregate, so both teams will be expecting a tougher contest this time around.

The winner after two legs will face either Rangers or Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals.