Manchester United are entering a make-or-break scenario for their season as they play host to Lyon in a crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg. The tie sits finely poised at 2-2 after the first encounter at the Groupama Stadium last week, which saw another erroneous Andre Onana performance cost United the advantage. After conceding a late equaliser in France, Ruben Amorim’s men will now need to pick themselves up from more disappointment after being condemned to a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Newcastle on the weekend. Lyon, meanwhile, will seek to add to United’s misery by curtailing their Europa League campaign and putting an end to their last hope of joy this season.
When is Manchester United vs Lyon? The second leg of the Europa League quarter-final between Manchester United and Lyon kicks off at 8pm on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Old Trafford in Manchester.
How can I watch it? UK viewers can watch the game on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
What is the team news? Man United could be without as many as seven players for the clash, with Joshua Zirkzee - who scored in the first leg - the latest to be sidelined after picking up a potentially season-ending hamstring injury against Newcastle. Matthijs de Ligt, Toby Collyer, Ayden Heaven, and Amad Diallo all remain out as they recover from respective injuries, while Jonny Evans and Lisandro Martinez are expected to be out for the season. The return of Andre Onana to the fold is also uncertain after being dropped from the squad following his erroneous first-leg display.
Lyon have been handed a major boost after talented youngster Malick Fofana was confirmed as in contention for the trip to Old Trafford. Fofana missed the first leg in France due to a knee injury sustained in March. However, he is unlikely to start in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final.
Confirmed line-ups for Manchester United include: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Fernandes. Lyon's predicted XI features Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Veretout, Tolisso, Akoukou; Almada; Cherki, Mikautadze. Georges Mikautadze is expected to start in place of club captain Alexandre Lacazette up front, whilst Thiago Almada will continue on the left of the attack and Rayan Cherki on the right for Lyon.
Odds for the match show Manchester United winning at 3/4, a draw at 3/1, and Lyon winning at 10/3. Predictions suggest a tough night for United, with many expecting a Lyon upset at Old Trafford.
This match is not just about advancing in the Europa League; it carries significant implications for the future of the club. With the pressure mounting on manager Ruben Amorim and the team's underperforming squad, a loss could lead to serious repercussions for the Manchester giants. Should United get knocked out this evening, expect plenty of external scrutiny for the next few hours, days, weeks, and months. United are the second-biggest soap opera based in Manchester, after all.
On the other hand, United played well in patches during the first leg in Lyon, and that knowledge should stand them in good stead this evening. If they manage to get through, they will be just three matches away from glory, more European silverware, and a place in next season’s Champions League. It’s a big one tonight, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As the clock ticks down to kick-off, both teams are preparing for what promises to be an electrifying encounter. Fans at Old Trafford will be hoping for a turnaround from their side after a disappointing league performance against Newcastle. The atmosphere is expected to be charged, with supporters rallying behind their team in this pivotal clash.
With everything to play for, the players will need to dig deep as they face the challenge ahead. The Europa League has been a beacon of hope for Manchester United this season, and they’ll be desperate to keep that hope alive with a strong performance against Lyon. Tune in to see how this thrilling contest unfolds!
