Harry Maguire’s last-minute winner sent Old Trafford into delirium as Manchester United produced one of the greatest European comebacks in recent memory.
Harry Maguire has joked that Manchester United “don’t do things easily” after they pulled off a stunning late comeback to beat Lyon and progress into the Europa League semi-finals.
United looked to have secured the win by half time as they led 2-0 through Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot, before conceding two goals within seven minutes, forcing extra time.
Lyon also got a man sent off , although that didn’t seem to impact them as they went on to lead 4-2 in the first half of extra time, with their goals coming from Rayan Cherki and ex-Premier League striker Alexandre Lacazette.
United seemed to be all but out of the competition which – given their disastrous campaign in the league this season – is the club’s last chance to secure a spot in the Champions League.
That was until three goals in the last six minutes sent the stands into bedlam, and United into the semi-finals against Athletic Club.
Maguire’s header heroics vs Lyon
Maguire is no stranger to crucial United goals, and in this latest comeback story he thanked the Old Trafford atmosphere. He told TNT Sports: “We made really hard work of it, I must say. We don’t do things easily!
“Half-time at 2-0 up, we had full control. I think even in the second half, I feel like we had chances to score a third.
“Then they score a third out of nowhere, bit of a pinball goal which put us on the back foot and they manage to get that equaliser.”
Despite the incredible end to the game, the centre-back admitted that the Red Devil’s near-defeat was below the club’s standards.
“To go 4-2 down against ten men in extra time is nowhere near good enough,” he continued. “We opened ourselves up too much. They are a good team, have some good forwards, play great football.
“But we dug in, showed great spirit, and that is what this stadium does and to come back like that is an incredible performance from everyone in the final minutes.
“I felt like the fourth goal for them was a real sucker-punch. Even going 3-2 down I felt like we were gonna get chances.
“Obviously [the chance] fell to myself and I put it in the back of the net, which was an amazing feeling.”
United aim for Europe next season
This dramatic victory means that United are now just potentially three-games away from being crowned Europa League champions, a feat which after tonight, even the most pessimistic fans will believe is a possibility.
In order for that to happen, United will be looking to get off to the best possible start when they play Athletic Club in Bilbao on May 1st.
Should the Red Devils conquer the Spanish team, they are likely to face fellow Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in the final, as the London outfit are set to play FK Bodø/Glimt, who are the first Norwegian team ever to reach this stage of a European competition.
Will it be an all English final? We will know for sure by the 8th of May, when the second legs of the semi-finals are to be played and the finalists will be revealed, hopefully for United fan’s hearts, in less dramatic fashion than last night.
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