Manchester United welcomed Olympique Lyonnais to Old Trafford, looking to progress to the semi-final of the Europa League for the first time since 2021.
Andre Onana started between the sticks with Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui as the three centre backs.
Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and Diogo Dalot started in their usual wingback slots. Manuel Ugarte was once again called up to begin the match alongside Casemiro in the middle of the park.
With Joshua Zirkzee’s season-ending injury, Rasmus Hojlund was named up top with Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes behind him in the number ten roles.
Here are five things we learnt from the match.
Ugarte gets his Old Trafford moment
Manuel Ugarte has had his fair share of critics since joining in the summer from Sporting CP.
He has had to deal with a plethora of midfield partners whose best days are behind them, such as Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
Ugarte has also struggled to impress on the ball but he has shown a huge amount of effort every time he has been called upon. This included a fine performance at Anfield against Liverpool in January.
The Uruguay international had previously scored last month against Everton at Goodison Park but he sent the Old Trafford crowd into raptures to give United the perfect start after only 10 minutes.
He clearly lapped up the moment and pressed like a demon to give the Red Devils control of the match early on.
Long passing on point
The Red Devils created the best of the chances in the first half and a lot of this was down to impressive balls from deep.
The first goal came from a long ball from Mazraoui which picked out Fernandes, who laid the ball off to Garnacho who eventually assisted Ugarte for the opening strike.
United almost had a spectacular second when Dalot expertly found Fernandes who volleyed against the crossbar, in what would have been a world-class effort. United found success once more when Maguire played a long ball forward that found Dalot who controlled well under pressure and slotted the ball well into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.
With the home side suffering from a dearth of depth in the attack, this could be a tactic which could result in more goals in the league and cup.
Garnacho impresses
Garnacho has clearly struggled for goals and form in recent months and his wastefulness in front of goal was still on show tonight.
He missed a wonderful one on one chance early in the second half that would have probably put the game to bed.
Nonetheless, the Argentine was electric in other aspects of the game, running all night at the French side’s defence. He cleverly assisted Ugarte’s opening goal and was a constant threat in behind as Lyon pushed for a goal in the second half.
Hopefully he can keep up this intensity as United need all the help they can get for the remaining few weeks of the season.
Individual errors haunt United again
United were well in control as they went 2-0 up in the first half. They also had numerous chances to kill the game off in the second half but individual errors once again cost United.
Both Lyon goals came from costly errors in the United defence. Yoro switched off for the first goal and all three of Dorgu, Yoro and Maguire were at fault for Lyon’s second.
Lyon’s third was another example of horrendous defending against ten men as the back three once again failed to close down Rayan Cherki, who smashed in for the away side.
The Red Devils have much work to do as a team but they are constantly held back by ridiculous individual errors that would make any club struggle to make any sort of improvement.
United’s European spirit lives large
The Red Devils are nothing like the team they used to be. Nonetheless, they can still produce drama like few other teams can.
They looked dead and gone when Lyon went 2-4 up in extra time but Old Trafford roared on their team to an incredible 5-4 victory. Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo brought United level and Maguire headed United into the lead which sparked pandemonium in the stands.
The United players have their faults but tonight, they have given the fans one of the great European nights at Old Trafford.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
