Manchester United’s unbeaten streak in this season’s UEFA Europa League remains alive after playing out a dramatic 2-2 draw with French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon in their quarter-final first-leg tie on Thursday night.
The lead-up to the match was overshadowed by the war of words between Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic and United goalkeeper Andre Onana, with Matic labelling the Cameroonian as the worst shot-stopper in the club’s history.
Onana on his part threw a dig at the former Chelsea and AS Roma man by referencing the period in which the Serbian midfielder did not win a trophy during his spell at Old Trafford.
United boss Ruben Amorim made no changes to the side that featured in the drab Manchester derby last weekend and they looked confident in the early minutes. As for Lyon, they appeared shaky on the ball as they struggled to string together any threatening build-up play.
The first real opportunity in the game came in the 18th minute when Patrick Dorgu played a pass to Rasmus Hojlund, only for the striker to completely miscue his shot.
Alejandro Garnacho thread a through ball to Bruno Fernandes but the skipper’s shot was deflected over the crossbar. A corner-kick from Fernandes failed to find a teammate, with the ball bouncing to the path Casemiro, whose overhead kick was saved by Lucas Perri.
All the missed chances would be rued as the home side took the lead after 25 minutes when a free-kick by Thiago Almada took a bounce and went through Onana’s gloves into goal for the opener.
United drew level with seconds left until half-time after Fernandes’ whipped cross in bounced off a defender to Manuel Ugarte, with the Uruguayan midfielder’s shot initially blocked while Leny Yoro was on hand to head in the rebound.
Lyon showed intent to go back in front straight after the restart, missing a fine chance when Georges Mikautadze lobbed a through ball to Alexander Lacazette in the box, only for the former Arsenal man to blast his volley wide.
Corentin Tolisso was next to miss for Lyon when he dribbled past Mazraoui, only for the midfielder to fire his shot straight into the gloves of Onana when he was odds on to score.
Lyon’s attacking forays looked set to prove valiant when United scored two minutes from time through substitute, Joshua Zirkzee, who steered his header past Perri following a rapid counter attacking move.
But more drama would unfold five minutes into stoppage time as disaster struck just seconds before full time when Onana parried a shot from Almada into the path of Rayan Cherki, who chipped in the equaliser from close range.
Both sides meet again at Old Trafford next Thursday, with the winner booking a spot in the semi-finals.