Last updated on April 17, 2025
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Manchester United set to qualify at the expense of Lyon.
Image credit: EuroFoot
Manchester United and Lyon are set to clash once more at Old Trafford tonight in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, following a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
The winner of this tie will face either Rangers or Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals.
United enter the match under pressure. A heavy 4-1 defeat at Newcastle last weekend confirmed what has been a disastrous domestic campaign.
Fourteenth in the Premier League and destined for their lowest-ever points total in the era, Champions League qualification via the league is now all but impossible.
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That leaves winning the Europa League as their only viable route back to Europe’s top table.
🏴 MANCHESTER UNITED vs LYON 🇫🇷
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 17, 2025
1st leg finished 2-2… who do you think will proceed to the semi-final? 👀🏆 pic.twitter.com/HrntGv7cC2
Lyon, meanwhile, are enjoying a strong run. Paulo Fonseca’s side followed up the first-leg draw with a 3-1 win over Auxerre in Ligue 1 and have now won seven of their last nine games in all competitions.
They sit fourth in Ligue 1, just a point off third-placed Marseille.
Both teams have significant absentees. United are without Joshua Zirkzee (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Jonny Evans (back), Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, and Toby Collyer.
Teen forward Chido Obi-Martin is ineligible for European competition.
Manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Andre Onana will return in goal after being left out against Newcastle.
🚨 André Onana will return and start against Olympique Lyon at Old Trafford.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 16, 2025
The decision has been made, confirms Rúben Amorim. pic.twitter.com/HLihL2OAMf
Lyon will miss winger Ernest Nuamah (ACL) and Malick Fofana (knee), with Rayan Cherki expected to continue in an attacking role following his standout performances.
Predicted Lineups:
Manchester United:
Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Lyon:
Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Veretout, Tolisso, Akouokou; Almada; Cherki, Mikautadze
United remain the only unbeaten team in the Europa League this season and have never lost to Lyon in five previous meetings.
However, Lyon are unbeaten in their last 12 away matches in this competition and have a strong record on English soil.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-2 Lyon (AET)
United are expected to come out aggressively in front of a home crowd and could edge past Lyon in extra time, winning 5-4 on aggregate.
