Paul Scholes has backtracked on one of his previous statements after Manchester United’s remarkable late win in the Europa League against Olympique Lyonnais.
Manchester United staged an unforgettable comeback to beat Lyon 7-6 on aggregate and book their place in the Europa League semi-finals, scoring three times in the final 10 minutes of extra time.
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, United started brightly at Old Trafford. Manuel Ugarte gave them the lead following sharp interplay from Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, before Diogo Dalot made it 2-0 just before the break.
Lyon came alive in the second half. Corentin Tolisso headed in with under 20 minutes to go, and shortly after, Nicolás Tagliafico brought the tie level. Tolisso was then sent off just before full-time, giving United an edge heading into extra time.
But Lyon struck first, with Rayan Cherki scoring a brilliant goal and Alexandre Lacazette converting a late penalty to leave United on the brink.
Then came the madness. Fernandes scored from the spot, Kobbie Mainoo curled in a stunning equaliser, and Harry Maguire’s injury-time header completed an extraordinary late surge to send Rúben Amorim’s side into the semi-finals.
Scholes says Amorim finally gets “excitement” from United
Speaking to TNT Sports after Maguire’s headed winner, Paul Scholes has retracted a previous statement, where he said Amorim “didn’t like his team.”
“I keep saying it, but I’m pleased for him [Amorim] because he’s had so many disappointments, especially Premier League-wise,” said the United legend.
“I said last week he didn’t like his team. That was probably the wrong word. I don’t think he enjoys watching his team at times, because he knows he expects a lot more, and he got a little bit of it tonight. He got that excitement, he got what this… And this is Europa League, remember?”
The former Red Devils midfielder added, “Imagine Champions League, the big games there, the atmosphere. If he builds a team that’s good enough to compete, it’ll be twice that. Well, they’ve given themselves a chance to still play in the Champions League.”
Amorim needs to keep winning
While victory against Lyon will satisfy United fans in the meantime, Amorim needs to keep this positive momentum going and develop a good run of form.
Not only will it help the team against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final, but it will give him more time from the fans, who clearly want him to succeed.
A game doesn’t go by without hearing the United fans in unison singing along to Bonnie Tyler’s “It’s a heartache” Amorim rendition.
But this support will only remain if the Portuguese manager can keep winning, especially in the Europa League for the remainder of the season.
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