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Man Utd's 'rollercoaster ride' campaign continues after Harry Maguire's magic moment
Manchester United survived their Europa League last chance saloon after a champagne moment from Harry Maguire against Lyon
Manchester United walked into the last chance saloon - and were left toasting a champagne moment from Harry Maguire.
In a game of bonkers proportions, Maguire pounced at the death to make sure United's rollercoaster ride ended on a massive high. With a place in the Europa League semi finals.
United had been cruising into the last four thanks to first half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot. But a second half collapse saw them conceded four goals, to leave them 4-2 down on the night in extra time.
But when all hope seemed lost, Kobbie Mainoo pulled one back, before Maguire's header turned Old Trafford from a place of nightmares back into the Theatre of Dreams.
On a night of seismic significance for United, they produced a performance that was the footballing equivalent of Rory McIlroy's win at the Masters last weekend.
"Get ready to give everything we've got," Ruben Amorim had told his players before kick off. And so they did. On a night when the stakes were high.
Win and United would still have a chance of claiming the Europa League trophy along with a place in the Champions League. Lose, and Amorim's flops wouldn't be in Europe at all next season, for just the second time in 34 years, while this campaign would be in the bin.
A real crossroads moment for the club in terms of on-field success, future finances and the ability to attract new signings in the coming seasons as well.
Home fans went into overdrive inside 10 minutes, when Noussair Mazraoui, Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho all combined superbly to set-up the opening goal for Ugarte. It was an excellent team goal - and the perfect start for United.
And the cushion of a second goal came on the stroke of half time when Dalot lashed in a low shot following more woeful defending from Lyon - and Nicolas Tagliafico in particular.
Lyon refused to buckle and hit back with two goals in seven minutes from Corentin Tolisso and substitute Alexandre Lacazette, to leave the stadium stunned. But as the game headed to extra time, Tolisso was sent off for his second booking, to leave Lyon down to 10 men.
Then all hell broke loose. Rayan Cherki and Lacazette put Lyon 4-2 ahead against the odds. But like the United of old, the home side refused to give in.
Sir Alex Ferguson sat in the stands and found himself taken on a trip back in time to when he used to mastermind legendary comebacks.
It had been a terrific game of breathless pace from start to finish. But the drama was only just beginning. A madcap finish saw Bruno Fernandes pull a goal back from the penalty spot.
Mainoo, who was operating as an emergency striker alongside Maguire, then levelled the scores with a sublime finish into the bottom corner. Game on. Again.
And it was left to Maguire to add the finishing touches to a game that will live long in the memory, burying his header past Lucas Perri in the 121st minute.
The entire United squad and coaching staff sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate. Somehow United's season is still alive. Just don't ask me how.
Daily Star Sunday
Manchester United survived their Europa League last chance saloon after a champagne moment from Harry Maguire against Lyon
Manchester United walked into the last chance saloon - and were left toasting a champagne moment from Harry Maguire.
In a game of bonkers proportions, Maguire pounced at the death to make sure United's rollercoaster ride ended on a massive high. With a place in the Europa League semi finals.
United had been cruising into the last four thanks to first half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot. But a second half collapse saw them conceded four goals, to leave them 4-2 down on the night in extra time.
But when all hope seemed lost, Kobbie Mainoo pulled one back, before Maguire's header turned Old Trafford from a place of nightmares back into the Theatre of Dreams.
On a night of seismic significance for United, they produced a performance that was the footballing equivalent of Rory McIlroy's win at the Masters last weekend.
"Get ready to give everything we've got," Ruben Amorim had told his players before kick off. And so they did. On a night when the stakes were high.
Win and United would still have a chance of claiming the Europa League trophy along with a place in the Champions League. Lose, and Amorim's flops wouldn't be in Europe at all next season, for just the second time in 34 years, while this campaign would be in the bin.
A real crossroads moment for the club in terms of on-field success, future finances and the ability to attract new signings in the coming seasons as well.
Home fans went into overdrive inside 10 minutes, when Noussair Mazraoui, Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho all combined superbly to set-up the opening goal for Ugarte. It was an excellent team goal - and the perfect start for United.
And the cushion of a second goal came on the stroke of half time when Dalot lashed in a low shot following more woeful defending from Lyon - and Nicolas Tagliafico in particular.
Lyon refused to buckle and hit back with two goals in seven minutes from Corentin Tolisso and substitute Alexandre Lacazette, to leave the stadium stunned. But as the game headed to extra time, Tolisso was sent off for his second booking, to leave Lyon down to 10 men.
Then all hell broke loose. Rayan Cherki and Lacazette put Lyon 4-2 ahead against the odds. But like the United of old, the home side refused to give in.
Sir Alex Ferguson sat in the stands and found himself taken on a trip back in time to when he used to mastermind legendary comebacks.
It had been a terrific game of breathless pace from start to finish. But the drama was only just beginning. A madcap finish saw Bruno Fernandes pull a goal back from the penalty spot.
Mainoo, who was operating as an emergency striker alongside Maguire, then levelled the scores with a sublime finish into the bottom corner. Game on. Again.
And it was left to Maguire to add the finishing touches to a game that will live long in the memory, burying his header past Lucas Perri in the 121st minute.
The entire United squad and coaching staff sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate. Somehow United's season is still alive. Just don't ask me how.
Daily Star Sunday