In a thrilling encounter that saw Manchester United and Olympique Lyon share the spoils in a 2-2 draw in the first leg, the stage is set for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash. The match is scheduled for April 17, 2025, at 02:00 AM Thailand time at the iconic Old Trafford stadium. The winner will advance to the semi-finals, facing either Glasgow Rangers or Athletic Bilbao in early May.
Manchester United, currently sitting 14th in the Premier League, has struggled in recent weeks, failing to secure a victory in their last four outings across all competitions. Their most recent match ended in a crushing 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United, marking their 14th loss of the season. With only 38 points from 32 matches, the Red Devils find themselves perilously close to the relegation zone, a stark contrast to their aspirations of European football next season.
Coach Erik ten Hag's squad is grappling with a host of injuries. Key players including Lisandro Martinez, Matthaüs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ahmed Diallo, Tobi Collyer, and Joe Hugill are all sidelined, leaving the team looking for new heroes to step up. Despite the setbacks, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Højlund are expected to lead the charge in attack.
In contrast, Olympique Lyon, under the guidance of interim coach Jorge Masial, has been on a roll lately. They sit fourth in Ligue 1 and are coming off a solid 3-1 victory over Auxerre, adding to their momentum as they head into this crucial fixture. Lyon has only lost once in their last five matches, showcasing a resurgence that could pose a significant threat to the home side.
Rayan Cherki, who was pivotal in the first leg with a late equalizer, will be looking to continue his impressive form. Lyon's squad also boasts talents like Corentin Tolisso, Thiago Almada, and Georges Mikautadze, who will be key in their quest for a historic European title.
As the teams prepare for the match, the statistics reveal an interesting history between the two clubs. Manchester United has never lost to Lyon in their previous five encounters, winning two and drawing three. However, the Red Devils have struggled against French teams in recent European outings, having lost their last two home matches to Paris Saint-Germain.
With the stakes higher than ever, both teams are aware that this match could define their season. For Manchester United, the Europa League represents their last hope for silverware and a pathway back into the Champions League next season. Lyon, on the other hand, aims to secure their first major European trophy, a feat that has eluded them thus far.
The expected lineups for the match see Manchester United set to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation with André Onana in goal, flanked by Nuesret Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, and Leny Yoro in defense. The midfield will feature Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, and Patrick Dorgu, while Garnacho and Fernandes will support Højlund in attack.
Lyon is anticipated to field a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Lukas Perilli as the goalkeeper. The backline will consist of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Mussa Niakaté, and Nikolas Tagliafico. The midfield trio of Jordan Weerthout, Tolisso, and Paul Agugo will look to control the game, while Almada will provide support to forwards Cherki and Mikautadze.
As the match approaches, Manchester United's fans remain hopeful that their team can turn around their fortunes and secure a spot in the next round. Meanwhile, Lyon supporters are eager to see if their team can overcome the historical odds and claim a victory at Old Trafford.
According to predictions from Opta's supercomputer, Manchester United has a 47.9% chance of winning the match, while Lyon has a 26.1% chance, and a draw is estimated at 26%. This analysis highlights the competitive nature of the encounter, making it a must-watch for football fans around the world.
With the backdrop of a historic rivalry and the promise of a thrilling contest, both teams will take to the pitch with everything on the line. Will Manchester United rise to the occasion and secure their place in the semi-finals, or will Lyon break their hoodoo against the Red Devils and march on in pursuit of European glory? Only time will tell as the clock ticks down to kick-off.
