Last updated on April 18, 2025
Join our WhatsApp community and be part of the conversation!
Ruben Amorim celebrates after Man Utd’s win over Lyon.
Image credit: Premier League
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United conjured one of the most extraordinary turnarounds in recent club memory, completing a last-gasp 5-4 win over Lyon at Old Trafford to seal a 7-6 aggregate victory and reach the Europa League semi-finals.
While the comeback may not rival the seismic 1999 Champions League final triumph, it bore the unmistakable imprint of United’s legendary fightback DNA.
The Portuguese manager openly admitted he revisited that iconic night in Barcelona—when Sheringham and Solskjær reversed a 1-0 deficit in stoppage time—to draw inspiration for his side’s quarter-final clash.
“I rewatched the 1999 documentary to get inspired for these moments,” Amorim revealed after Thursday’s astonishing match.
💥 Think You Know Football? Let’s Prove It – Join the Ultimate EPL Fan Newsletter!
“It was 4-2, with Lyon down to 10 men, and still you feel it’s over—but here, it’s never over. At this club, anything feels possible.”
A Season in Tatters Finds a Pulse
Currently languishing 14th in the Premier League, United have endured a turbulent domestic campaign.
Yet, they now sit just three matches away from European silverware—and a potential return to the Champions League.
The Europa League has become both refuge and redemption.
Amorim’s tenure in the competition has been markedly more successful than in the league: six wins in eight European games compared to just six from 21 league matches.
On Thursday night, it looked like a routine progression when goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot put United two up by halftime.
But Lyon stormed back with Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico finding the net, dragging the tie into extra time.
Even after Lyon’s Tolisso received a second yellow late in regular time, United appeared to collapse.
Rayan Cherki’s slick finish and Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty gave Lyon a 4-2 lead in extra time, prompting swathes of fans to begin exiting Old Trafford early.
They missed the miracle.
Six-Minute Madness
With just six minutes remaining, United erupted.
Bruno Fernandes converted a VAR-awarded penalty. Kobbie Mainoo, calm beyond his years, curled in a dramatic equaliser.
Then, with the seconds ticking away, Harry Maguire soared highest to head home the 121st-minute winner—becoming the first player in Europa League history to decide a match that late.
“I want to keep that sound,” Amorim said, reflecting on the deafening crowd noise. “It’s the best sound in the world. Some collect shirts or scarves—I want that sound.”
He added: “We’ve underperformed and taken all the criticism, but we still have time to turn this season into something unforgettable.”
Maguire: “That’s What This Stadium Does”
The match-winner echoed his manager’s sentiments. “Going 4-2 down to 10 men wasn’t good enough, but the spirit we showed was incredible,” said Maguire. “That’s what this stadium does to you.”
