In a thrilling and dramatic clash, Manchester United was held to a 2-2 draw by Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.
With the match full of highs and lows, both teams will walk away feeling like they could have claimed victory, making the second leg a highly anticipated contest.
Early Setback and a Quick Response from Manchester United
The game kicked off in Lyon with plenty of action, and it wasn’t long before the home side took the lead.
Midway through the first half, a dangerous free-kick from Thiago Almada sailed past United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana and found the back of the net, putting Lyon ahead.
However, United wasn’t about to let that setback keep them down for long.
Leny Yoro, showing his instincts, quickly leveled the score with a brilliant header, making it 1-1.
The match was well and truly on, with both sides giving it their all.
Late Drama and Lyon’s Last-Minute Equalizer
As the game neared its conclusion, United seemed to have snatched the lead with another header, this time from Joshua Zirkzee in the 88th minute.
But just when it seemed like United had claimed victory, Lyon stunned everyone by equalizing in the final minute of added time.
Rayan Cherki capitalized on yet another mistake from Onana, poking in the equalizer to make it 2-2.
It was a bitter pill for the Red Devils to swallow, having been so close to securing an important win.
But despite the late setback, manager Ruben Amorim found a bright spot in the performance of one of his key players.
Ruben Amorim Praises Leny Yoro’s Performance
After the match, Amorim was full of praise for Leny Yoro, who marked his first goal for Manchester United.
“Leny Yoro… a top, top, top player,” said Amorim. “Trust me, he’s really good.”
The manager went on to highlight the French defender’s growing confidence and improvement in his physicality. “We are seeing all the work that all the staff are doing with him.
He feels at home in our club,” he added.
Yoro’s Rocky Start and Strong Comeback
Yoro’s journey to this moment hasn’t been without its challenges. The 19-year-old joined United from Lille in the summer, but his time at Old Trafford got off to a rocky start when he suffered a metatarsal fracture in a pre-season match against Arsenal.
He was sidelined for three months, but since his return in December, he has been making a significant impact.
His goal against Lyon was a testament to his hard work and determination, and it’s clear that the future is bright for this young talent.
Despite the frustrating result, Manchester United can take positives from the game, especially in the form of Yoro’s performances and the resilience shown by the team.
The second leg promises to be a highly competitive affair as they look to push through to the next stage of the Europa League.