Manchester United travel to France for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Lyon this evening.
Ruben Amorim’s men are undefeated in European competition this season which is a stark contrast to their domestiv form which has seen them eliminated from both cups and sitting 13th in the Premier League. The Red Devils defeated Real Sociedad 5-2 in the previous round and impressed with a fine performance at Old Trafford which saw them net four goals after they drew away from home.
Lyon, meanwhile, smoked FCSB 7-1 on aggregate and come into the match in strong form despite only being fifth in Ligue 1. They have won six of their last seven matches across all competitions and will be confident of beating a vulnerable United side.
Tonight’s match also has an added bit on tension after a war of words in the build up between United goalkeeper Andre Onana and former United midfidler Nemanja Matic who now features for Lyon.
Follow all the Europa League action with our live blog below:
Good signs for Man Utd
Manchester United haven’t lost the first leg of any of their last 11 major knockout ties (five wins, six draws).
The last time they did so was a 1-0 home defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League in April 2019.
Each of their last three away first leg matches have been drawn.
United’s Europa League record
Man Utd have lost just one of their last 21 Europa League matches (14 wins, six draws), losing 3-0 away to Sevilla in April 2023.
That defeat also remains the only time in those 21 games they have failed to score.
Lyon’s goalscoring prowess
Lyon’s 4-0 win over FCSB in the second leg of the last 16 was their biggest win in Europe since beating Apollon Limassol 4-0 in November 2017.
They’ve scored 23 goals in this season’s Europa League, only scoring more in two major European campaigns – 29 in 2004-05 and 28 in 2016-17.
Comeback kings
Manchester United’s two away visits to Lyon have both been in the Champions League and on both occasions they came from behind to draw, from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in September 2004 and 1-0 down to draw 1-1 in February 2008.
Premier League guaranteed fifth Champions League spot after Arsenal beat Real Madrid
Two additional spots in the Champions League are available to the leagues in the countries with the highest Uefa co-efficients, with countries earning co-efficient points based on how their sides perform.
‘To be able to play for Lyon is my biggest dream’
Midfielder Rayan Cherki spoke about the possibility of winning the competition with Lyon.
He said: “I was born in Lyon and I will die being from Lyon. This is something that you cannot buy. I was lucky to be born into a family where we could stay simple, old-fashioned.
“To be able to play for Olympique Lyonnais is one of my biggest dreams that’s coming true.
“And if I can win a trophy with Olympique Lyonnais, I would have accomplished the most beautiful thing with my favourite club.”
‘Matic is only on the bench’
“Lyon picked Nemanja Matic for the pre-match press conference but not the game.
“Andre Onana’s chief critic is only on the bench for a game that, if it goes wrong, could in effect end United’s season but which, should it go well, would take them a step closer to a return to the Champions League.
“It is a meeting of two Portuguese coaches: Paulo Fonseca is serving a nine-month touchline ban in Ligue 1, but that does not apply to the Europa League.
“Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, is unbeaten in Europe as United manager. If that is still the case when the final whistle goes, they will be favourites to reach the semi-final.”
Lyon team to face Man Utd
Lyon XI: Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Tolisso, Akouokou, Veretout; Cherki, Mikautadze, Almada
Man Utd team to face Lyon
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Fernandes
‘This is an opportunity to save our season’
Joshua Zirkzee says winning the Europa League can ‘save’ Manchester United’s season.
Before the match he said: “The Europa League is an opportunity for us to save the season.
“We have to be honest about that, because the club’s goal is to be in the Champions League.
“There’s definitely pressure at this club. But that’s something you just have to deal with.
“You just have to wake up every morning wanting to be the best [you can be] and work hard. And then everything will work out just fine.”