Player Ratings: Maguire Header Seals Wild Win for Man United | OneFootball

Man United 5-4 Lyon (7-6 agg): Europa League chaos, delirium and escape act at Old Trafford

United’s wild ride through Old Trafford madness

On a night that defied tactical order and emotional logic, Manchester United survived—just. A Europa League quarter-final for the ages delivered a 5-4 victory on the night, 7-6 on aggregate, against Lyon in a match that teetered from control to collapse, and then spun off into chaos.

What began with assertive clarity from Amorim’s side—first-half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot restoring authority—descended into calamity. The control wasn’t wrestled away; it was flung, almost willingly. A two-goal cushion became a trapdoor.

Lyon’s fightback defies logic and shape

Corentin Tolisso’s header—sharp, unrelenting—punctured United’s composure. Then came the mess of Nicolas Tagliafico’s follow-up, a goal stitched together from scraps. Just as Lyon flickered into life, they sabotaged themselves. Tolisso, the heartbeat of their revival, was sent off for a second yellow.

United had the man advantage. The story should have ended there. But this United side are not storytellers; they’re thrill-seekers, sometimes to their own detriment.

Malick Fofana turned creator, breaking into acres of green. His layoff to Rayan Cherki was finished with the kind of cold-blooded clarity missing from United’s back line. Moments later, Fofana again made an incision—brought down in the area by a combination of Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro. Alexandre Lacazette, sharp from the spot, coolly dispatched the penalty.

Old Trafford held its breath. Not in reverence. In disbelief.

Late drama ignites Old Trafford once more

Then came the fightback. Bruno Fernandes, precise as ever, made it 4-3 with a penalty after Casemiro was fouled. Kobbie Mainoo’s arrival off the bench sparked more than energy; it delivered finesse. His curled finish into the far corner reignited belief.

And Harry Maguire—of all players—was cast as the final act. Pushed up as an emergency striker, he met Casemiro’s cross with brute certainty. His header didn’t just beat Lucas Perri; it collapsed the entire narrative Lyon had built. In a flash, United were back on top.

There was no more time for drama. The whistle blew. United were through. Just.

This wasn’t tactical sophistication or structural brilliance. It was mayhem and muscle memory. But in tournaments, survival counts more than serenity.

Amorim’s substitutions: risk, reward, and redemption

Amorim made changes—some enforced, some speculative. Luke Shaw replaced Noussair Mazraoui at the break, an attempt to inject experience. But it was the triple change later—Mainoo, Mount, and Amass—that changed the tone. Mainoo’s impact justified his manager’s faith; Mount and Amass, less so. But the risks were worth it.

Amid it all, Casemiro stood apart. Imperious, everywhere, orchestral. Without him, there is no comeback. Without Fernandes’ cool head, no momentum. Without Maguire’s desire, no last roar.

Lyon’s collapse is almost heroic

The French side will take little comfort, but Lyon’s exit came wrapped in courage. Cherki was electric. Lacazette decisive. Even with ten men, they pressed, they ran, they dared. Their errors were of overcommitment, not negligence.

They’ll rue the first-leg stalemate. They’ll rue Tolisso’s second yellow. But they leave this competition with credit, even if not with qualification.

Man United player ratings

Starting XIGK: Andre Onana – 6CB: Noussair Mazraoui – 7CB: Harry Maguire – 8.5CB: Leny Yoro – 7RWB: Diogo Dalot – 8CM: Manuel Ugarte – 8CM: Casemiro – 8LWB: Patrick Dorgu – 7AM: Bruno Fernandes – 9AM: Alejandro Garnacho – 7.5CF: Rasmus Hojlund – 6

SubstitutesLuke Shaw – 6Mason Mount – 7Kobbie Mainoo – 8Harry Amass – 6Christian Eriksen – 6

Lyon player ratings

Starting XIGK: Lucas Perri – 6RB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7CB: Clinton Mata – 6CB: Moussa Niakhate – 3LB: Nicolas Tagliafico – 7CM: Jordan Veretout – 7CM: Corentin Tolisso – 4CM: Paul Akouokou – 7RW: Rayan Cherki – 8CF: Georges Mikautadze – 6LW: Thiago Almada – 7

SubstitutesTanner Tessmann – 7Alexandre Lacazette – 8Malick Fofana – 7.5Abner – 6