Harry Maguire was the hero as Manchester United came out of a nine-goal thriller with the 5-4 win over Olympique Lyon after 120 dramatic minutes of their Europa League quarter-final second leg battle on Thursday night.
The Europa League remains United’s only chance of claiming silverware and also qualifying for the Champions League next season, but by the 114th minute it seemed Lyon would send the Red Devils crashing out until three goals in six dramatic minutes kept United in the hunt for the trophy.
United were down 4-2 with seven minutes left to play in extra time when three goals in six minutes from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Maguire with the winning header sealed a thrilling 7-6 aggregate win against 10-man Lyon at Old Trafford.
United started well and got the opening goal inside the opening 10 minutes after a through ball from Noussair Mazraoui released Bruno Fernandes down the right and the captain picked out Alejandro Garnacho, whose pinpoint square ball was swept home by Manuel Ugarte.
The hosts almost got a quick second goal as Garnacho nicked the ball and picked out Casemiro, but the Brazilian’s strike was tipped around the post by Lyon keeper Lucas Perri.
Lyon’s first opportunity came when Paul Akouokou’s header was brilliantly saved by United goalkeeper Andre Onana. The Cameroonian was also on hand to stop Rayan Cherki’s effort.
Bruno Fernandes almost got United’s second with an audacious volley after being picked out by Diogo Dalot, only for the crossbar to deny him, before arrowing a long-range strike marginally wide.
United pressed on and doubled their lead after Dalot controlled Harry Maguire’s crossfield pass before firing into the far corner.
The hosts picked up where they left off before the break and should have put the tie to bed within five minutes after Garnacho broke through on goal, but he shot straight at Perri.
Lyon halved the deficit after United failed to clear a set-piece, which was headed on by Alexandre Lacazette and nodded home by Corentin Tolisso.
That goal sparked a change in momentum, and Les Gones needed just six minutes to draw level as Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ mishit cross was bundled over the line by Nicolas Tagliafico.
Lyon’s momentum was halted when Tolisso was sent off in the 89th minute, after receiving a second yellow card for a trip on Leny Yoro.
Extra-time was needed to find a winner and despite being a man down, Lyon were the ones to step up after Cherki pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and lashed home.
United had no response and conceded again when Lacazette converted from the penalty spot after Luke Shaw fouled Malick Fofana.
United looked to be on their way out, but were given a lifeline when Casemiro was brought down in the box and Bruno Fernandes tucked the spot-kick past Perri.
Ruben Amorim’s men hauled themselves level in the 120th minute when Kobbie Mainoo showed great composure in the box to cut inside and finish into the far corner.
Things went even better as defender Harry Maguire then popped up a minute later to head home and send the Old Trafford faithful into a wild frenzy.
Elsewhere in the Europa League on Thursday night, Tijjani Noslin scored for Lazio in the 93rd minute against Bodo Glimt to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate, only to end up being one of three players to miss during the penalty shoot-out as the Serie A side fell 3-2 on penalties.
Bodo Glimt head to the last four where they will face Tottenham Hotspur, who claimed a 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt to book a place in the last four with a 2-1 aggregate win, while Athletic Club will meet United in the semis after beating Rangers 2-0 in Spain.