Manchester United endured a frustrating 2-2 draw against Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie held at the Groupama Stadium on April 10, 2025. The match was marked by significant errors from goalkeeper Andre Onana, who was heavily criticized for his performance.
Onana, who has been under scrutiny, particularly following comments from Lyon's Nemanja Matic labeling him as "one of the worst goalkeepers in United's history," failed to redeem himself during the match. The opening goal came from Lyon's Thiago Almada, whose free-kick cross was weakly parried by Onana, ricocheting into the top corner of the net. Despite this setback, United appeared to be in control for much of the first half, creating several scoring opportunities through Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro, both of whom failed to convert.
It was Leny Yoro who brought United back into the game just before halftime, scoring with a well-placed header to equalize. Yoro's performance earned him a standout player rating of 9, with the young defender showcasing his defensive prowess and attacking capabilities. "It is a rough moment to concede a goal like that. We got the draw and will try to win at home," Yoro reflected post-match. "I didn’t enjoy too much, no celebration, it is normal, we want to win. I am really happy to score my first goal. We don’t have the win but it is ok."
As the second half progressed, both teams exchanged chances, with Lyon pushing for a second goal. However, it was United who took the lead late in the match, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring a header from a brilliant cross by Bruno Fernandes in the 88th minute. Zirkzee's goal, rated 8.5, appeared to set United on course for a valuable away win.
Yet, disaster struck in the dying moments of the game when Onana made another critical error. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, he spilled a shot from Georges Mikautadze, allowing Rayan Cherki to tap in the equalizer. Cherki's goal was a bitter blow for United, who had fought hard to take the lead. The match ended in a draw, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.
United's manager expressed disappointment after the match, stating, "We should have taken a one-goal advantage into the next game. The important thing is to focus on the next game. When one player makes a mistake, all the team makes a mistake. We’ll give everything we have to get to the next stage." He emphasized the need for improvement, noting, "We are improving game by game but we need to be more clinical. This is half-time, we have to think of the next one."
Player ratings from the match reflected the mixed performances across the board. Andre Onana received a poor rating of 1 due to his mistakes, while Noussair Mazraoui and Harry Maguire both earned ratings of 6 and 5 respectively, with Mazraoui noted for his defensive contributions. Diogo Dalot also received a 6, showing promise in his wing-back role, despite being booked for a reckless foul.
Manuel Ugarte struggled, receiving a rating of 4 for his lack of impact, while Casemiro and Patrick Dorgu both received ratings of 5. Alejandro Garnacho had a particularly difficult game, rated at 3 for his lack of conviction in front of goal.
Bruno Fernandes stood out with a rating of 8, demonstrating leadership and creativity, but lamented the missed opportunities. "I was trying to make things happen but most of my teammates weren’t on the same frequency as me," he said. "We need to keep our heads up – we didn’t lose tonight and we can win at Old Trafford, of course we can."
Substitutes also made an impact, with Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo both earning ratings of 6 for their contributions off the bench. Mainoo played a crucial role in the build-up to Zirkzee’s goal, showcasing his ability to influence the game after returning from injury.
As the match concluded, the atmosphere was one of mixed emotions for United. They had shown resilience and skill to come back and lead but were ultimately left to rue a late lapse in concentration. With the second leg approaching, United will need to address their defensive frailties and capitalize on their attacking opportunities if they hope to progress in the tournament.
Looking ahead, the Red Devils will face Lyon again at Old Trafford, where they will aim to turn the draw into a victory and secure their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League. The stage is set for an exciting second leg, with both teams aware that anything can happen in knockout football.
