Lyon vs. Manchester United | Europa League | Quarter-Finals | 1st Leg | Pre Match
Lyon vs. Manchester United
Manchester United, clinging to the faint hope of salvaging a dismal season with Europa League success, journey across the Channel to France on Thursday night to take on Lyon at the Groupama Stadium in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. This encounter marks a fresh chapter in the two clubs’ European history, as their four previous meetings all occurred in the Champions League, with the most recent clash dating back to 2008 when United lifted the coveted trophy. Now, for the first time, they square off in the Europa League, a competition that has become United’s lifeline amid a torrid Premier League campaign. Coming off a disheartening week that saw them fall 1-0 to Nottingham Forest and then grind out a lifeless 0-0 draw against rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford, the Red Devils are desperate for a spark. The Manchester derby, typically a fixture dripping with drama and intensity, was a muted affair this time around, with neither side able to muster the quality or conviction to claim bragging rights. Manager Ruben Amorim, who has been at the helm for only a short spell, tempered expectations post-match, suggesting that fans shouldn’t anticipate the fiery classics of yesteryear given the current struggles of both Manchester clubs. Yet, for United’s faithful, such explanations ring hollow—they demand more from a team Amorim insists is “improving,” even as evidence of progress remains elusive. Sitting 13th in the Premier League with a paltry 38 points from 31 matches, their worst-ever season in the competition looms large, rendering European qualification via the league a pipe dream. Seven points adrift of the top half, United’s focus has shifted squarely to the Europa League, where a trophy could yet provide a silver lining to an otherwise bleak year.
United’s European credentials, at least in this competition, offer a glimmer of hope. They remain the only unbeaten side in this season’s Europa League, boasting six wins and four draws, a record that includes a commanding 5-2 aggregate triumph over Real Sociedad in the last 16. Captain Bruno Fernandes was the standout in that tie, delivering a sensational hat-trick in a 4-1 second-leg rout that showcased his ability to rise to the occasion. That performance is part of a broader trend: United have lost just once in their last 21 Europa League outings—a 3-0 defeat to Sevilla in April 2023, which also marked the only time in that span they failed to find the net. Their resilience in first-leg knockout ties is equally impressive, with no losses in their last 11 since a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League. This pedigree could prove vital against Lyon, a side enjoying a resurgence of their own. Les Gones have turned their season around after a seven-game winless streak between mid-January and early February, winning seven of their last ten matches across all competitions. In their last seven games alone, they’ve notched six victories and plundered 19 goals, a run that includes a gritty 2-1 comeback win over Lille in Ligue 1 last Saturday. Alexandre Lacazette, the former Arsenal striker, and young star Rayan Cherki struck either side of halftime to overturn an early deficit, underlining Lyon’s attacking potency. With head coach Paulo Fonseca sidelined by a nine-month ban for a heated altercation with a referee, assistant Jorge Maciel has steered the team to fifth in Ligue 1, just two points shy of the top three and automatic Champions League qualification with six games left. Having finished sixth in the Europa League’s 36-team table—three spots below United—and thrashed FCSB 7-1 on aggregate in the last 16, Lyon now aim to reach the semi-finals of a major European competition for the first time since the 2019-20 Champions League.
Lyon’s recent form makes them a formidable opponent, but their historical struggles against United could offer the Red Devils an edge. In four previous Champions League encounters, Lyon have never beaten United, managing only draws in their two home games—a 2-2 stalemate in September 2004 and a 1-1 result in February 2008, both times squandering leads. Their record against English sides in two-legged ties is equally grim, with losses in each of their last three. However, Lyon’s preparations for Thursday have been hampered by a significant setback: winger Ernest Nuamah, injured just seven minutes into the Lille match, is out for the season with an ACL tear, joining Malick Fofana (knee) on the sidelines. Nuamah’s absence thrusts Rayan Cherki into the spotlight, and the in-demand attacker—who has notched nine goals and 18 assists in 36 games this term, including eight assists in ten Europa League outings—is poised to lead the charge alongside Thiago Almada and either Lacazette or Georges Mikautadze in the final third. Lyon’s midfield will likely feature former United man Nemanja Matic, whose experience could be key, flanked by Corentin Tolisso and Tanner Tessmann. At the back, ex-Arsenal full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles is expected to hold his place at right-back, joined by Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakhate, and either Nicolas Tagliafico or Abner Vinicius. This lineup reflects Lyon’s blend of youth and seasoned talent, a combination that has fueled their recent surge and poses a real threat to United’s ambitions.
Manchester United, meanwhile, arrive in France grappling with their own injury woes. Lisandro Martinez (knee), Amad Diallo and Ayden Heaven (both ankle), and Jonny Evans (back) are all ruled out, while Matthijs de Ligt (ankle) and Kobbie Mainoo (calf) face late fitness tests, though Mainoo’s return to training offers cautious optimism. Luke Shaw, sidelined for four months with a persistent hamstring issue, is back in contention, but Patrick Dorgu is likely to keep his spot at left wing-back after a steady showing in the derby. Harry Maguire, despite an early exit against City, is fit to anchor the center of defense, providing a much-needed dose of stability. In midfield and attack, Amorim faces selection dilemmas. Mason Mount, versatile enough to play in the engine room or further forward, is pushing for a rare start, while Alejandro Garnacho—despite a meager return of one goal in his last 27 games—should retain his place in the front line. Up top, the manager must decide between sticking with Rasmus Hojlund, who has struggled for consistency, or recalling Joshua Zirkzee, whose physical presence could trouble Lyon’s backline. Fernandes, as ever, will be the fulcrum, his creativity and goal-scoring nous critical to United’s hopes of securing a first-leg advantage. The Red Devils’ unbeaten Europa League run and historical edge over Lyon suggest they have the tools to succeed, but their faltering domestic form and depleted squad cast doubt over their ability to impose themselves on a confident Lyon side playing on home turf.
As Thursday night approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Manchester United. A Europa League triumph represents their last realistic shot at silverware and a return to the Champions League, a lifeline they can ill afford to squander. Lyon, riding a wave of momentum and buoyed by a partisan crowd at Groupama Stadium, will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds and ending their winless streak against United. For Amorim, this match is another test of his assertion that United are on an upward trajectory, a claim that has yet to fully convince a disillusioned fanbase. The Red Devils’ European pedigree offers hope, but their fragility—evident in their limp showing against City—could leave them vulnerable if Lyon capitalize early. Conversely, Les Gones must overcome their historical hoodoo against United and cope without key attackers to keep their semi-final dreams alive. With both teams at a crossroads in their seasons, this first leg promises to be a fiercely contested battle, one that could hinge on fine margins and moments of individual brilliance. For United, it’s a chance to reignite their campaign; for Lyon, an opportunity to make a statement on the European stage.
