Soccer

RASMUS HOJLUND couldn’t help but upload a crude message to celebrate Manchester United’s astonishing Europa League comeback on Thursday night.Man Utd booked their spot in the Europa League semi-finals after a sensational 5-4 win over 10-man Lyon that saw them overturn a two-goal deficit with late drama at the Theatre of Dreams.Rasmus Hojlund posted a crude message on Instagram to celebrate Man Utd’s win over LyonCredit: GettyMan Utd overturned a 4-2 deficit to advance to the Europa League semi-finalsCredit: AlamyThe Red Devils had blown their own 2-0 advantage to fall 4-2 behind to their French opponents with just over 10 minutes to play in extra-time.But a 114th minute Bruno Fernandes penalty was followed by goals at the death by Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire to keep Man Utd’s season alive and send Old Trafford into a frenzy of celebration.The players were just as ecstatic as the fans as they completed the historic comeback, with many sharing their thoughts on the game online afterwards.Rasmus Hojlund, 22, raised a few eyebrows with his crude reaction on Instagram following the incredible evening.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAlongside a number of pictures from the last-minute celebrations, he wrote: “When the road to a semi gives you a semi”.Teammates including Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven, Joshua Zirkzee and Harry Maguire couldn’t help but laugh in the comments section.Fans were quick to react to the unusual post too.One wrote: “Unreal caption. Didn’t score, but you played a great game”.Most read in FootballHarry Maguire scored a late winner to complete the comebackCredit: GettyJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordWhile another added: “Bro is the king of captions”.A third commented: “Bro that caption lmao”.Heartwarming reason Man Utd star Rasmus Hojlund copied Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration after scoring for Denmark And a fourth posted: “Undefeated in the caption game”.Man Utd will now face Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-final, to earn a spot in the final against the winner of Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt.A European trophy would save United’s season as Ruben Amorim’s men were dumped from both domestic cups and are languishing in 14th in the Premier League.Speaking after full-time, Amorim said: “I think that’s why we like this sport so much.”All the frustration that the coach has in this kind of season, the frustration, the bad moments, when you have moment like this it’s all worth it.”But then you finish, you calm down and we have a game on Sunday.”Man Utd will return to action in the Premier League on Sunday with a clash against Wolves.Ruben Amorim has claimed that wins like the one against Lyon make his job ‘worth it’Credit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED scored three goals in seven unbelievable minutes to beat Lyon in one of the all-time great nights at Old Trafford.First-half strikes by Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot put the Red Devils 4-2 up on aggregate and within touching distance of the semi-finals.Harry Maguire netted a 121st minute winner in a hectic gameCredit: RexMan Utd are now into the semi-finalsCredit: ReutersKobbie Mainoo scored a brilliant equaliserCredit: GettySoccer Football – Europa League – Quarter Final – Second Leg – Manchester United v Olympique Lyonnais – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – April 17, 2025 Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes celebrates after the match REUTERS/Phil NobleCredit: ReutersBut United capitulated after the break and they threw away their lead following strikes from Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico.It went to extra time with Lyon down to ten-men and things got even worse before fans were in dreamland. Rayan Cherki put them in front and Luke Shaw then clumsily gave away a penalty, which Alexandre Lacazette scored.But there was life in United yet, Bruno Fernandes converted a spot-kick and Kobbie Mainoo then finished brilliantly.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL4-4 on the night, 6-6 on aggregate, it was going to penalties… or was it?But cue more mayhem as Harry Maguire made himself the hero by heading home at the back post in the 121st to win it for United. Here is how SunSport rated the performances in a chaotic game.ANDRE ONANA – 7He copped so much flak off Lyon fans beforehand that he didn’t waste his chance to rub their noses in it when United went in front, celebrating wildly in front of the French.Most read in Europa LeagueBut you know what they say about going too soon, Andre? Perhaps you should have hung on a while… although he did get to have the last laugh in the end I suppose. NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 5Struggled a bit before leaving at half time to attend to a personal matter.Mind you he did produce the pass to Bruno Fernandes that started the move for United’s opener, so not all bad then. HARRY MAGUIRE – 7Hard-man Harry set the tone for the evening by thundering into Thiago Almada in the first minute and didn’t take a backward step from that second.But don’t typecast Maguire as a big old meathead defender – there’s a touch of finesse too, as he showed with a marvellous long ball to Diogo Dalot for the breathing-space second.And then, just as he’d done against Leicester in the FA Cup, he popped up deep in the box to nod the winner.  What. A. Hero! LENY YORO – 6The French kid is growing in confidence with every game, and clearly a stylish, ball-playing defender. Just not deep in your own box though, young man!Produced a stunning – if unwitting – block with his face late on but then got caught napping for the second goal and went downhill fast in extra time. DIOGO DALOT – 6Dalot makes the headlines about as often as he is on the scoresheet. Well guess what – this time he managed both, by drilling United’s second in off the post.If only he had been as impressive at the other end, because his blundering challenge saw the ball run for Rayan Cherki to rifle in the third. Good day, bad day. CASEMIRO – 7The Brazilian would struggle not to come last in a dad’s race at the school sports day, but his brain is as sharp and shrewd as ever.Picks a pass, spots the danger, and went close to a goal with a lumbering run and strike. If only he’d found the corner, it wouldn’t have been such a tortuous night. MANUEL UGARTE – 6Another man who is to goalscoring what Casemiro is to 100 metre sprinting – yet like Dalot, he managed it against Lyon. Says a lot about their defence, doesn’t it?Prowled around the midfield, snapping into tackles and snaffling loose balls like the meanest of Gauchos. Mind you, he can be a clumsy you-know-what at times too! Hooked late on. PATRICK DORGU – 5Was going about his business steadily, if unspectacularly, when it all went pear-shaped with that Lyon comeback – and Dorgu played his part in it.First he didn’t even get off the ground when Moussa Niakhate knocked a header into the danger area. Then he was nowhere near Malick Fofana, who crossed for the equaliser. No shock when he was soon hooked. ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6He was the creator-in-chief for the crucial opener with a great burst of speed to the byline, and an even more impressive level-headed pull back for Ugarte.When he’s on song Garnacho can be unplayable…and he was on song for large periods against the French. If only his finishing had matched his runs, because he missed a sitter at 2-0 that would likely have put Lyon to bed.BRUNO FERNANDES – 7Bruno is such a string-puller in this side that even on his quieter nights he is the driving force. And boy didn’t United need their skipper to be so here.If his did-you-see-that stretching first half volley had gone in, rather than rattling the bar, they’d have ended the betting for Goal of the Season as well. Instead it went from strolling to squeaky bum. Kept his nerve for the penalty – and thank Heavens he did. RASMUS HOJLUND – 5What an infuriating player the Dane is at times… built like Tarzan, but so often plays like Jane. At least he always seems to whenever the ball’s played up to his feet.Use your strength man, instead of chucking yourself to the floor. Did produce one great round the corner ball to send Garnacho clear, but not enough. That’s why he was subbed off and why United had no out and out striker on when they needed a goal. SUBSLUKE SHAW (for Mazaroui) – 6Hardly an explosive reintroduction to action for the England left back, but his return does mean one of United’s problem positions is no longer thus.It led to others against Lyon though, because it was Shaw’s blundering challenge on Fofana that gave the French the penalty they thought had clinched it. Read More on The SunKOBBIE MAINOO (for Ugarte) – 7Young Kobbie would never have expected his next step towards a full return to fitness would come as a centre-forward.  That was about as likely as, say, United being two up and blowing it against ten men. What was that Sir Alex…football, bloody hell you say? What a late strike to level it up. Magnifique! MASON MOUNT (for Hojlund) 6HARRY AMASS (for Dorgu) 6CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN (for Garnacho) 6 More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans were left stunned after Leny Yoro blocked a shot on the floor with his HEAD against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final second leg.With Lyon battling to get back into the match after going 2-0 down, Malick Fofana cut into the United box from the left and looked to move past the 19-year-old French centre-back.Leny Yoro managed to block a shot with his head after falling overFans likened it to Phil Jones’ head-first tackle against ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – GettyYoro appeared to lose his balance and subsequently fell to the floor.But he somehow managed to block the shot with his head.Fans were left completely baffled, with one person taking to social media to write: “LENY YORO SAVED IT WITH HIS HEAD!”Another said: “Leny Yoro just gets it man.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDWhile a third commented: “MY CENTRE BACK.”Meanwhile, other fans likened it to the iconic head-first challenge made by Phil Jones against Arsenal during his time at Old Trafford.One said: “Leny Yoro going full Phil Jones!!”While another wrote: “VIDIC AND PHIL JONES WOULD BE PROUD.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordMan Utd went on to win 5-4 to progress to the semi-finals with a 7-6 victory on aggregate.After going 2-0 down in the first half following goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot, Lyon took the game to extra time with two goals in six minutes.Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim issues open invite to Rory McIlroy as Masters champion’s private jet lands in EnglandThe visitors then scored another two goals in quick succession to go 4-2 up in extra time.But last-minute strikes from Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire after a Bruno Fernandes penalty saw United win the match. More

PAUL SCHOLES has delivered one of the most withering verdicts yet on Manchester United keeper Andre Onana.The Cameroonian remained under a fierce spotlight after conceding four goals in United’s astonishing triumph over Lyon.Andre Onana was also under pressure during the match as he let in four goals, but United went through with a late triple in extra timeCredit: PABut Onana celebrated wildly when United completed a stunning comebackCredit: APThe Red Devils trailed 4-2 deep in extra time but a seven-minute treble nicked a jaw-dropping 5-4 win as they reached the Europa League semi-finals 7-6 on aggregate.But as Scholes prepared for a night that became more dramatic than even he could ever have imagined, the Old Trafford legend suggested Onana couldn’t be trusted with the most simple of tasks.The 29-year-old had gifted Lyon both their goals in a 2-2 first-leg draw.Altay Bayindir replaced him on Sunday – only to blunder himself in a 4-1 Premier League defeat at Newcastle.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBack came Onana on Thursday evening – but Scholes could hardly have been more scathing ahead of kick-off.Assessing United’s hopes on TNT Sports, the ex-England midfielder dished out some astonishing advice.Scholes urged the Red Devils: “Keep the ball away from him. “Honestly, don’t even pass it back to him… get the ball up to (Rasmus) Hojlund.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAnother United legend, Rio Ferdinand, tried to turn that view around.The ex-Three Lions centre-back told TNT: “I liked playing with keepers who I don’t want to see or hear much. I don’t want to worry about them.Amorim is officially WORST Man Utd manager of post-Sir Alex Ferguson era as under-fire boss admits- I’m underperforming”The thing is when confidence goes you need to play games and no one talk about you. You don’t want the spotlight on you in games.”Onana’s ensuing display didn’t exactly win over his doubters, especially when a 2-0 lead on the night became a 4-2 deficit.But after Harry Maguire completed one of the greatest extra-time comebacks in history, fans loved his “genuinely insane” show of sheer joy.Paul Scholes gave some amazing advice to the Red Devils over OnanaCredit: Getty More

HARRY MAGUIRE was the last-ditch hero on a night of incredible drama at Old Trafford.The Red Devils looked to be heading out as they slipped two goals behind against ten–man Lyon with just 11 minutes remaining.Harry Maguire headed in a dramatic winning goal for Manchester UnitedCredit: RexRuben Amorim would later describe the former captain as ‘our only player who can score a goal with his head’Credit: GettyThe England star has come back into favour under Amorim and repaid the Portuguese boss’ faith with United’s most important goal of the season so farCredit: GettyMan United scored three goals in seven extra-time minutes to win the matchCredit: AlamyThe Theatre of Dreams has seen some astonishing drama over the years but rarely has it witnessed anything like this.Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot, sub Kobbie Mainoo got the equaliser.And when makeshift striker Maguire got on the end of Casemiro’s cross to nod home the old place was shaking to its foundations.Three goals in seven minutes and United’s hopes of finishing a disappointing season in glorious fashion are still alive.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSRuben Amorim stuck to his word and restored Andre Onana in goal – after giving him the weekend off to clear his head.The tie was on a knife-edge due to his two blunders in France last week, but it made for an atmosphere Old Trafford has not seen in some time.The old place even unveiled its first ever Tifo before kick-off bearing the words ‘Never Gonna Stop’.And to be fair – for around an hour they were unstoppable.  United began looking like their season depended on this fixture – which, of course, it did.  Most read in Europa LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAn early goal was just what they needed and it arrived in the 10th minute as Bruno Fernandes and Noussair Mazrouai combined well on the right.That freed up Alejandro Garnacho, who just stayed onside before squaring for Manuel Ugarte to slide home and round off a brilliant team goal.Manuel Ugarte gave Man Utd an early leadCredit: AFPThe Red Devils looked out of site when Diogo Dalot doubled the advantageCredit: GettyBut Corentin Tolisso headed Lyon back into the matchCredit: GettyNicolas Tagliafico then levelled the contest as United suffered an astonishing collapseCredit: ReutersIt was only the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder’s second for United and what a time to get it.Veteran midfielder Casemiro came close to adding a second but his shot brought a smart low save from Lucas Perri.After a slow start, Paulo Fonseca’s men worked their way into the game and Thiago Almada, who scored the free-kick which embarrassed Onana last week, saw a shot bravely blocked by Harry Maguire.From the resulting corner, Paul Akouokou’s header was smartly pushed over by the home keeper – a straightforward save but one which will have done him good.Goalscorer Tolisso was then controversially sent off after receiving a second booking when Leny Yoro tripped over his own feetCredit: EPABut Lyon did not let up and went ahead with a crisp Rayan Cherki strike in extra timeCredit: GettyAlexandre Lacazette netted from the spot to give the Ligue 1 side what looked an unassailable leadCredit: GettyBut Casemiro then won a penalty which Bruno Fernandes coolly convertedCredit: GettyMan Utd ratings vs LyonMANCHESTER UNITED scored three goals in seven unbelievable minutes to beat Lyon in one of the all-time great nights at Old Trafford.The Red Devils looked to be putting in one of their best displays since Ruben Amorim took over as they raced into a 2-0 lead.But after conceding one goal, they let the ground slip from under them, quickly giving away another to allow Lyon to take the game to extra time.Not even a red card for Corentin Tolisso could get United out of their slump as the French side completely dominated most of the additional 30 minutes.Rayan Cherki and an Alexandre Lacazette penalty meant the visitors looked home and hosed before Casemiro was fouled and Bruno Fernandes hit home from the spot.Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire then both netted in stoppage time of extra time to secure a scarcely believable win.Here’s how SunSport’s Phil Thomas rated the United stars on a night that went from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again.When Ugarte got his goal, the keeper celebrated wildly – doing a little dance in front of the Lyon fans who had goaded him last week.  All his problems at Old Trafford have obviously not dented his confidence.And he was called into action again as highly-rated Cherki weaved his way through the home defence but saw the home keeper dive full length to save his effort.Not to be outdone, Fernandes almost brought the house down as he tracked a wonderful pass from fellow Portuguese Diogo Dalot and thumped a first-time volley against the bar.A couple of minutes later, his 20-yard curler beat the outstretched hand of Perri but also drifted just wide of the post.Right on half-time, his mate stole his thunder as Dalot controlled a long ball and shrugged off Nicolas Tagliafico before firing into the bottom corner.The Argentine defender claimed he was fouled but replays showed he went down too easily and the VAR allowed the goal to stand.It was an excellent half from United but begged the question where has this team been all season?They could and should have put the game to bed in the opening minutes of the second half as Garnacho out-stripped Clinton Mata for pace and put the defender on his backside.But then he fired his shot straight at Perri – maybe he did not see Fernandes alongside him, as he would have had a tap-in.  As it was, the tie was not quite over and Onana kept the two-goal lead intact – diving full stretch to keep out a low shot by Corentin Tolisso.Patrick Dorgu also blazed a golden chance wide, and within minutes, United were ruing the fact they had not killed the French side off.Kobbie Mainoo’s equaliser set up the scene for the winnerCredit: GettyOld Trafford erupted after Maguire’s heroicsCredit: PAAndre Onana risked embarrassment when he goaded the Lyon fans after United’s opening goalCredit: GettyNobody at Old Trafford was more relieved than the Man Utd goalkeeper when Maguire headed in the winnerCredit: GettyMoussa Niakhate and Alex Lacazette both got a touch on a free kick and Tolisso’s header flashed past Onana.Now you sense the tension in the stadium and within seven minutes their worst fears were realised.Sub Malick Fofana crossed to the back post and Tagliafico’s shot was clawed out by Onana before sub Lacazette thumped home the rebound.Replays showed the full-back’s effort had crossed the line – meaning he had made up for his earlier error.The home fans could barely believe what they had seen – their team never does it the easy way these days.Still there was another twist as the influential Tolisso got a second yellow card for tripping Leny Yoro.  So into extra time it went with United hoping to make the extra man count – but it was the visitors who had the momentum.And right on half-time, the comeback was complete as Fofana sped away down the left and was stopped by a last-ditch tackle by Dalot.The ball fell kindly to Cherki, who took a touch before beating Onana from 15 yards.In the second period of extra time, they Lyon bagged another with Fofana chopped down by Luke Shaw and Yoro – before Lacazette sent Onana the wrong way from the spot.Still there was time for more drama as Tagliafico went through the back of Casemiro and after a VAR check, a penalty was given.Fernandes beat Perri to set up a dramatic finish.Read More on The SunAnd in the final minute of stoppage time they were all square as Fernandes and Casemiro teed up sub Mainoo to slot home.Incredibly, there was still time for Maguire to nick it.Ruben Amorim was distressed on the touchline as Lyon fought backCredit: EPAHe was overjoyed at Maguire’s headerCredit: PAFormer Arsenal star Lacazette was distraught at the end of the epic clashCredit: TNT SPORTSJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every 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