Manchester United’s season has come down to Europa League success, after domestic cup elimination and a weak league campaign.
Ruben Amorim has made clear that success in his first season is not dependent on a trophy. But you cannot deny that it would be nice, and winning silverware is a great habit to get into.
An aggregate win of 5-2 over Real Sociedad booked Manchester United a quarter-final spot, with the path to the final all plotted out.
Lyon are United’s quarter-final opponents, and in Ruben Amorim’s way stands a very familiar face.
Nemanja Matic to face Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes powered Manchester United’s second leg win over Real Sociedad with a hat-trick and an assist.
United’s attacking midfielder will be tasked with taking on a player once regarded as the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League, his former teammate Nemanja Matic.
The pair became teammates when United signed Fernandes in 2020, with Matic having joined Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils in a £40 million move from Chelsea in 2017.
Matic remained at United until 2022, eventually departing on a free transfer to reunite with Mourinho at Roma, where he reached the Europa League Final.
A year later he signed with French side Rennes, before being snapped up by Lyon in a £2 million transfer in January 2024.
Now 36-years-old, Matic would not have expected to be reunited with Manchester United, and now a two-legged showdown including a return to Old Trafford lies ahead.
How Nemanja Matic is faring at Lyon
Ruben Amorim knows Nemanja Matic very well, they lined up together at Benfica during the United boss’ playing career.
That means he will be well aware of the impact Matic has had at Lyon. He made an immediate impact last season, winning 13 of his last 16 games.
Lyon are currently in fifth place in Ligue 1 in 2024/25, with Matic making 20 starts. He has played in eight Europa League games, five times as a starter.
At 36-years-old, Matic is not the player he once was, but his combination of size, physicality and intelligence to read the game means that in the right system, he can be an effective player.
The onus is on United and Fernandes and co to ask questions of Matic by keeping him mobile, dragging him out of position, and expose his weaknesses.
Matic recently played his 50th game for Lyon, and it is possible his 700th career game could come at Old Trafford.
United have ambitions to win the tournament, but cannot look past Lyon, and a player of Matic’s calibre cannot be underestimated despite his age.
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