MANCHESTER UNITED were seconds away from taking a lead back to Old Trafford in what was a thrilling Europa League quarter-final first leg – but Andre Onana’s blunder proved costly.The United keeper’s initial mistake saw his team go behind before Leny Yoro equalised in stoppage time of the first half.Joshua Zirkzee then thought he had grabbed the winner with a superb header late into the second half.However, Rayan Cherki was quickest to pounce on Onana spilling an earlier shot which then saw the game end level.RESULT: Lyon 2-2 Man UtdLyon team: Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafic; Tolisso, Akouokou, Veretout; Cherki, Mikautadze, AlmadaMan Utd team: Onana; Yoro; Maguire, Mazaroui; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho, HojlundFollow Man United’s Europa League clash below…Leny Yoro on the drawLeny Yoro spoke to TNT Sport following the late goal, saying: “we’ll try to win the game at home“We defended really well but they are a good team”“We need to be ready for everything, and unfortunately we conceded the goal.”On his muted celebration, he said: “we want to win so no time for the celebration”Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedOnana’s night to forgetOnana had what can only be described as a stinker in the tie against Lyon.The first goal should have been kept out, as Thiago Almada’s free-kick sailed past him, with what looked to be an easy save.Then, under fire already, he spilled a late effort straight to Rayan Cherki, who pounced and scored a late leveller. Not the type of performance he would have wanted to put in after being called out by Nemanja Matic earlier in the week.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedRayan Cherki on the mapThe young Lyon starlet has been attracting attention from across Europe, but tonight he announced himself to the world.It was a good display from Cherki before his goal, but he showed experience beyond his years to pounce on that spill from Onana.He reacted quicker than the entire United defence, and now has a chance to become a legend at Old Trafford. His late goal sent Lyon fans crazy, and has surely added a bit more to his price tag for potential deals this summer.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedLeny Yoro’s first goalWhat a time it was for Leny Yoro to get his first goal for United.His headed effort at the end of the first-half was his first goal for United, but his celebration was muted. On his muted celebration, he said: “we want to win so no time for the celebration”A good mentality for the young defender to take into the second leg next week. Credit: REUTERS/Gonzalo FuentesCopy linkCopiedZirkzee in the goalsJoshua Zirkzee has struggled for goals since he came to England in the summer of 2024. However, amidst the late drama, it is easy to forget he scored a well taken goal tonight.His headed effort has given United something to take home, and the side will now be confident that in Manchester, they can turn it around. Credit: Phil Duncan/Every Second MediaCopy linkCopiedRecap: United held by LyonUnited and Lyon saw out an entertaining 2-2 draw in France. Andre Onana was the centre of attention, costing United twice as Lyon take a draw to Manchester.However, United will be confident that at home, they can get the job done.Copy linkCopiedRuben Amorim on Andre OnanaUnited manager Amorim has had a tough time trying to steady the ship since he joined from Sporting, and said: “we are really disappointed” after the late goal.On Andre Onana’s mistakes, he reassured the ‘keeper, and said: “it is important to focus on the next game”When one player has a mistake the whole team has a mistake”We continue to do the same thing.”Amorim insisted that he would chose the best XI, and showed no indication that he was ready to drop Onana. Copy linkCopiedThe late late show with Rayan CherkiLyon’s equaliser in the 95th minute was the latest goal Manchester United have ever conceded in the UEFA Europa League.It was also Lyon’s second-latest in the competition (94:30), after February 2017 against AZ (94:35). (via OptaJoe on X) Copy linkCopiedA pattern for OnanaSince the start of last season, no ‘keeper has made more errors leading to goals from Premier League clubs in all competitions.Onana leads the way, having made a whopping EIGHT errors leading to goals in the last one and a half seasons. Copy linkCopiedView of SunSport’s Martin Blackburn in LyonYou could have predicted Andre Onana would be at the centre of it after the pre-match verbal spat with Nemanja Matic. But nobody expected it to be this eventful. The Cameroon international allowed an early free-kick from Thiago Almada to drift past him to give Lyon a first half lead.And should he have held the late shot that he spilled to give Rayan Cherki a last gasp equaliser.In between times United were good and goals from Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee means they are very much alive. It should have been better but for onana though.Copy linkCopiedScholes: “not a disaster”Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has insisted that this is not a bad result.Despite conceding late, he says it is “not a disaster,” as the second leg is at Old Trafford.Copy linkCopiedLeny Yoro on the drawLeny Yoro spoke to TNT Sport following the late goal, saying: “we’ll try to win the game at home”We defended really well but they are a good team””We need to be ready for everything, and unfortunately we conceded the goal.”On his muted celebration, he said: “we want to win so no time for the celebration”Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedFull-time: Lyon 2-2 Man UnitedWell, all the talk going into the game was about Andre Onana, and all the talk going out will be about Onana. He let an effort fly past him for Lyon’s opener, then he spilled the ball to Rayan Cherki for the leveller. Thiago Almada’s well struck crossed free-kick beat Onana to get the ball rolling in the first half, but United were soon back in it.Leny Yoro then got his first United goal bang on half-time to level the score, before late in the second-half Joshua Zirkzee sent the ball into the Lyon net to score what looked like the winner. However, Cherki had the last laugh, and a late goal at the end of the second-half means it is all still to play for as the sides head to Manchester next week. Credit: AP Photo/Thibault CamusCopy linkCopiedFull-time: Lyon 2-2 Man UnitedCopy linkCopiedLyon 2-2 Man United90+5’ – Lyon have snatched a draw, and Onana has his head in his hands again!Mikautadze fires an effort towards goal, and while there is power on it, it’s right at Onana.BUT – the United ‘keeper spills it, and it goes straight into the path of Rayan Cherki, he pokes home with ease to put Lyon level.They’ve snatched a draw at the death, and ultimately Matic has got the last laugh over Onana here. Copy linkCopiedGoal – Rayan Cherki (Lyon)Copy linkCopiedLyon 1-2 Man United90′ – Well, when the clock struck 90 here, Lyon were in command.But, as the clock strikes 90, they are trailing to United. It hasn’t fallen apart – anything but – as Lyon have played quite well in this game, but United have just managed to score when it matters. The Premier League might have fallen short for them this season, but it is still all to play for in Europe for Amorim. Copy linkCopiedLyon 1-2 Man United88′ – Surely Zirkzee has sent United to Manchester in the lead?An audacious pass towards the Lyon box causes more problems than the French side would like to admit, and their failed clearance falls to Mainoo. Kobbie Mainoo then heads the ball to Bruno Fernandes, and is there anything worse in world football than Bruno in space in your box with time to pick a pass?If this is anything to go by, the answer is no – as he picks out Zirkzee, who heads home in fine fashion. Copy linkCopiedGoal – Joshua Zirzkee (Manchester United)Copy linkCopiedLyon 1-1 Man United85′ – Another chance goes over for Lacazette. Rayan Cherki works his way into a channel for Lyon, and pulls the ball back for Lacazette, who is waiting for the ball.But, his effort sails over to the Lyon fans behind Andre Onana’s goal. Not quite the impact the former Arsenal star would have wanted from the bench, so far. Copy linkCopiedLyon 1-1 Man United83′ – No goal for Garnacho tonight, he goes off in place of Kobbie Mainoo. Amorim also switches in defence, as Harry Maguire makes way for Victor Lindelof.Might be one last roll of the dice for Amorim, as he aims to send United back to Manchester with a lead to defend. Copy linkCopiedLyon 1-1 Man United80′ – United VERY close to the lead. They’re like London busses – you wait ages for one then two chances come in 30 seconds. Garnacho gets onto the end of a wicked cross, and fires a good effort straight at Perri for a corner.From the corner, Casemiro heads an effort just wide, Perri looked like he was not going to get to it. It’s the closest United have been in the whole second half, with Lyon relentlessly passing it in the United half. Copy linkCopiedLyon 1-1 Man United77′ – It is getting lively out there!Mason Mount gets hit hard by Nicolas Tagliafico, and not happy with the challenge, gives Tagliafico a shove.However, the Argentine left-back was not ready to let Mount just push him around, and let Mount know it as he returned fire. A quick scuffle between the teams and the referee sent them on their way. Copy linkCopiedView of SunSport’s Martin Blackburn in LyonBoth sides have had chances to take the lead – with the best one falling to former Arsenal man Alexandre Lacazette minutes after coming off the bench. Yoro could also have scored his second of the night but United would almost certainly be happy with a draw from here.Copy linkCopiedLyon 1-1 Man United69’ – Garnacho blows a great chance for United.It looked as though he almost had too much time, racing away from the Lyon defence with Zirkzee right and Bruno left.However, he couldn’t decide where to go, and in the end went to neither, playing a poor pass to Bruno, which the Portuguese international was unable to reach. Mata collects, and gets it away.Copy linkCopied More
