Manchester United edge Lyon 7–6 on aggregate in dramatic Europa League clash

Manchester United complete stunning Europa League comeback to reach the semi-finals.

Ruben Amorim, manager of Manchester United, speaks to his players ahead of extra time during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 quarter-final second leg match against Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford on April 17, 2025, in Manchester, England. Photo by Michael Regan/UEFA

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Manchester United complete stunning Europa League comeback to reach the semi-finals after a jaw-dropping 5-4 victory over Lyon at Old Trafford, sealing a 7-6 aggregate triumph on Thursday night. For a team that has endured one of its bleakest seasons in recent memory, this was a rare moment of glory, born out of grit, belief, and the echo of past European miracles.

With just six minutes left in extra time, the Red Devils looked dead and buried. Lyon, even down to ten men, were holding a 4-2 lead and appeared destined to knock out the former champions. But what unfolded in the dying moments was a remarkable turnaround that will go down in club folklore.

Inspired by a Bruno Fernandes penalty, followed by late goals from Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, Manchester United turned despair into delirium. Old Trafford erupted in celebration, with head coach Ruben Amorim declaring that the team may yet salvage their nightmare season with European silverware.

Amorim invokes United’s legacy of comebacks

After the final whistle, Amorim couldn’t help but reference the club’s most iconic comeback — the 1999 Champions League final. “I watched the treble documentary before this game,” he said, smiling. “In this stadium, with this club, anything can happen. Tonight was one of those special nights.”

United have been under fire all season. Sitting 14th in the Premier League and crashing out early in the domestic cups, expectations were low. But Amorim believes moments like this can shift the course of a season. “We know the criticism is deserved,” he said. “But we’re still alive. We still have a chance to do something special.”

The stakes are high. If United fail to win the Europa League, they face the prospect of missing out on European football altogether — a financial and reputational hit that could hinder their rebuilding plans.

From disaster to dreamland

The first leg in France had ended in a nervy 2-2 draw, setting the stage for a tense night in Manchester. United started brightly, but their defensive frailties re-emerged as Lyon punished every lapse.

Even after Lyon were reduced to ten men at 2-2, the visitors refused to crumble. They scored twice more, exploiting United’s high line and shaky transitions. At 4-2, the mood at Old Trafford soured. Fans began to trickle out, resigned to another humiliation.

But a handball in the box gave Fernandes the chance to spark hope. He converted the penalty with calm assurance, making it 4-3 on the night and 6-5 to Lyon on aggregate. Suddenly, the crowd was alive.

Kobbie Mainoo, brought on late in the second half, showed a level of composure beyond his years. With Lyon sitting deep, he found space on the edge of the box, curling a beautiful strike into the far corner. The equalizer made it 4-4 and leveled the aggregate score at 6-6.

Then came the winner. In the final minute of extra time, Maguire — a figure often criticized but still fighting — rose above the defense to nod home from a corner. United led 5-4 on the night and 7-6 overall. Amorim’s bench exploded. The fans roared like it was 1999 again.

Mainoo’s emergence offers new hope

Mainoo’s impact was more than just the goal. The 18-year-old England international has been sidelined for much of the second half of the season due to injury, but his return may prove timely.

Amorim deployed him in a surprising false-nine role — a move born out of necessity rather than planning. But Mainoo delivered. “That was just my second appearance since February,” he said post-match. “I just wanted to help the team however I could. I’m glad it worked.”

He also sees the performance as a turning point. “The performance wasn’t the best overall, but a win like that can change everything,” he said. “Momentum is real — it can carry us. We're rolling the snowball now, and it could keep getting bigger.”

All roads lead to Bilbao

United now face a challenging semi-final against Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao, who edged past Marseille in their own quarter-final. The other tie pits Tottenham Hotspur against Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt.

The Europa League is now United’s sole chance at salvation. With Champions League qualification and financial incentives on the line, Amorim made it clear that priorities have shifted. “We’ll have to make tough decisions in the league,” he said. “Maybe we’ll have to rest key players there and go all in on Europe. Fans need to understand that — we are fighting for our future.”

This pragmatic approach could see United field more youth players in domestic matches, giving stars like Mainoo, Garnacho, and Dan Gore more chances to shine while veterans focus on the Europa campaign.

United's identity rebuilt through drama

For a club that has floundered since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, nights like this serve as a reminder of what Manchester United used to be — and perhaps what they could be again. The crowd didn’t just cheer for the goals; they celebrated the resilience, the drama, the sense that this club, despite all its flaws, still knows how to produce magic.

Amorim knows the pressure is immense. The fanbase is restless, and the board is watching closely. But he also knows that these final weeks could define the narrative of his reign.

“We can still make this a season to remember,” he said. “We just need to believe, stay focused, and take every opportunity.”

Looking ahead to the final push

With just weeks left in the season, everything now hinges on United’s Europa League campaign. They must travel to San Mamés with confidence, but not arrogance. Athletic Bilbao are formidable at home, and the atmosphere in the Basque country will be hostile.

Yet if Manchester United can replicate the spirit they showed against Lyon, anything is possible. They’ve made a habit of doing things the hard way — but perhaps, in that difficulty, lies their identity.

Should they lift the trophy in Bilbao on May 21, it will not just be a triumph of talent but of belief, heart, and a refusal to quit. In Amorim’s hands, the Red Devils may yet find redemption.