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Andre Onana's errors cost Manchester United in Europa League quarter-final ggainst Lyon

Andre Onana's errors cost Manchester United in Europa League quarter-final ggainst Lyon

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Apr 11, 2025, 13:33 IST

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Andre Onana's blunders cost Manchester United dearly as Lyon secured a 2-2 draw in their Europa League quarter-final first leg. Despite Joshua Zirkzee's late goal, Onana's handling error allowed Rayan Cherki to equalize in stoppage time. This draw puts Champions League qualification, crucial for United's finances, in jeopardy. The return leg at Old Trafford is now pivotal for both clubs.

Andre Onana's errors cost Manchester United in Europa League quarter-final ggainst Lyon

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana. (PTI)

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana made two critical errors that led to a 2-2 draw against Lyon in their Europa League quarter-final first leg at Groupama Stadium on Thursday. The match saw dramatic turns as Lyon twice came from behind, with Rayan Cherki scoring a stoppage-time equalizer after Onana failed to hold onto Georges Mikautadze's shot.
The drama unfolded a day after former United midfielder Nemanja Matic, now with Lyon, called Onana "one of the worst goalkeepers" in United's history during a pre-match exchange. Onana's first mistake allowed Thiago Almada's soft free-kick to get past him.

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Leny Yoro equalized for United just before half-time, and Joshua Zirkzee's header in the 88th minute appeared to have secured victory for the visitors. However, Onana's second error in stoppage time led to Cherki's equalizer.

United manager Ruben Amorim defended his goalkeeper after the match. "It can happen. If you play football, and we play a lot of games, you can make mistakes," he said. "There is nothing I can say to Andre in this moment that will help."
Amorim emphasized the importance of the second leg: "We have one more game to change everything and that should be our focus."
The stakes are high for Manchester United, as winning the Europa League represents their only path to Champions League qualification. Failure to secure a Champions League spot could cost the club at least £100 million at a time when their finances are already stretched thin.
This match marked the first meeting between the two clubs since their 2007-08 Champions League last-16 encounter, when both teams were at their peak. United went on to win their third European crown that year, while Lyon secured the last of their seven consecutive French titles.
Rasmus Hojlund, who has struggled in domestic competition with just three Premier League goals compared to five in Europe, missed an early opportunity from Patrick Dorgu's cut-back.
The match intensity increased after Onana's first error, with Lyon fans jeering his every touch. The goalkeeper's mistake came after he had claimed United were "way better" than their opponents, comments that Amorim insisted were taken out of context.
Both teams created several chances throughout the match. Alexandre Lacazette missed opportunities for Lyon, while Alejandro Garnacho forced a sharp save from Lucas Perri.
Cherki, who scored the crucial equalizer, expressed confidence about the second leg. "I think we deserve even better than a draw. We played really well, but we know there is a second leg to come and we will go there to win, that's all," he told Canal Plus.
The result leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford next week, with United's hopes of salvaging their season through European success hanging in the balance.
The match highlighted United's ongoing struggles this season, as they face the prospect of their worst top-flight finish since their relegation in 1974. Their European campaign now represents their best chance of salvaging something from a difficult season.
Bruno Fernandes remained influential throughout the match, providing the assist for Zirkzee's goal and creating several other opportunities. The United captain's set-piece delivery led to Yoro's first-half equalizer after Perri's initial punch.
The match concluded with both teams having shown their strengths and weaknesses, setting up an intriguing second leg at Old Trafford where United will need to improve their defensive stability while maintaining their attacking threat.

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TOI Sports Desk

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