One week after a chaotic 2-2 attract Lyon, Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais are set for a decisive Europa League quarterfinal conflict on Thursday at Old Trafford – with a semifinal ticket and survival on the road for the Red Devils.
The winner on mixture will face both Rangers or Athletic Bilbao in May’s semifinals.
But for Manchester United, it’s extra than simply development – it’s their final real looking shot at Champions League qualification and redemption in a season spiraling towards catastrophe.
Onana’s woes, Cherki’s brilliance
The first leg left fireworks and finger-pointing. United goalkeeper Andre Onana, already below scrutiny after a public feud with former Red Devil Nemanja Matic, spilled the ball in stoppage time to present Rayan Cherki a Ninety fifth-minute equalizer.
Earlier, Joshua Zirkzee had seemingly received it for United within the 88th, just for Lyon to strike late.
Onana’s blunders added to a mounting disaster at Old Trafford.
Manager Ruben Amorim benched him over the weekend, saying the Cameroonian wanted to “disconnect a little bit,” although he’s anticipated to return in objective Thursday night time.
Red Devils’ freefall
United adopted up their Lyon slip-up with a 4-1 Premier League thrashing at Newcastle – their 14th league loss this season.
Sitting 14th with simply 38 factors from 32 matches, they’re liable to their lowest factors complete in Premier League historical past.
European qualification by home league play is all however gone, making Thursday’s match a must-win.
Injuries have crippled Amorim’s facet.
Zirkzee (hamstring) joins a rising record that features Amad Diallo, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, and Matthijs de Ligt.
With teenage ahead Chido Obi-Martin ineligible for Europe, Rasmus Hojlund could possibly be United’s solely obtainable striker.
He’s anticipated to guide the road with Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho – who lastly broke a 27-game scoring drought final weekend.
Patrick Dorgu and Harry Maguire are in line to start out in protection, whereas Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, and Mason Mount are competing for midfield roles.
Lyon eye breakthrough
Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon are chasing historical past – their first-ever main European trophy.
They haven’t reached a European semifinal since their 2019-20 Champions League run, however they’re on a tear.
Saturday’s 3-1 win at Auxerre, powered by objectives from Cherki, Alexandre Lacazette and Georges Mikautadze, pushed them inside one level of Ligue 1’s third-place Marseille.
Lyon have received seven of their final 9 throughout all competitions, scoring 24 instances in that span.
They are unbeaten of their final 12 Europa League away video games (W9 D3), and their monitor document towards English sides on the street is spectacular – only one loss of their final 9.
Still, the ghosts of Old Trafford loom massive.
Lyon have by no means overwhelmed Manchester United in 5 makes an attempt (D3 L2) and misplaced each earlier visits to the Theatre of Dreams.
They have additionally by no means superior in a European knockout tie after drawing the primary leg at dwelling – failing in all 9 such cases.
Key absences, excessive stakes
Lyon will miss winger Ernest Nuamah (ACL) and Malick Fofana (knee), however Cherki has stepped up in fashion.
The 20-year-old Frenchman has tallied 11 objective contributions (3 objectives, 8 assists) in 11 Europa League appearances and can companion Thiago Almada and both Lacazette or Mikautadze in assault.
Former United man Matic could drop to the bench, with Jordan Veretout and Paul Akouokou pushing for begins in midfield. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata and Nicolas Tagliafico are set to return to a bolstered backline.
Source: www.dailysabah.com