This Manchester United team is so strange

Maguire scored in MU's 5-4 win over Lyon in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.

From a safe advantage to the brink of defeat, then exploding with a 5-4 victory after 120 dramatic minutes against Lyon in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals in the early morning of April 18 - the "Red Devils" created one of the most dramatic comebacks.

Crazy night at Old Trafford

Starting with a different atmosphere, the match was highlighted by the first tifo to appear at Old Trafford - a spiritual symbol made by the fans themselves, with the words "Never Gonna Stop". The image was hung above the Sir Alex Ferguson stand as a promise that MU will fight to the end, no matter how harsh the challenge.

And the red team entered the match with great enthusiasm. The early opening goal, the initiative in the game, combined with the home field advantage helped them quickly take a 2-0 lead after more than an hour of play. Everything seemed to be under the control of coach Ruben Amorim and his team.

But football is a strange sport . From the 71st to the 77th minute, all the advantages quickly collapsed. Lyon equalized 2-2 while the MU players seemed to lose their way. The first leg also ended 2-2, forcing the two teams into extra time.

At this point, when many people thought MU would take advantage of the extra man (Tolisso was sent off at the end of the second half), it was Lyon who showed their mettle. They scored two goals in a row thanks to Cherki and Lacazette, raising the score to 4-2. A real shock that silenced the "Theatre of Dreams".

On social media platforms, phrases like “collapse”, “disaster”, “helpless” were repeated over and over again. Many people could not believe their eyes. How could a team that was leading and had more players end up in such a situation?

When hope was fading, Manchester United suddenly revived. In the 114th minute, Casemiro won a penalty after a daring run. Bruno Fernandes successfully converted, rekindling a faint glimmer of hope. Not stopping there, in the 120th minute, Kobbie Mainoo - a young talent returning from injury - scored the equalizer 4-4 with a classy finish after a cool move.

The stadium had not yet cooled down from its excitement when the fateful header came from... Harry Maguire. The English centre-back received a cross from Casemiro and made Lyon's net shake for the fifth time in the 120+1 minute. Old Trafford seemed to explode in cheers and utter amazement.

Casemiro sparked Manchester United's emotional comeback against Lyon.

Casemiro - once seen as a liability - became the star of the showpiece revival. He was involved in United's final three goals: winning the penalty, assisting Mainoo, and then providing the decisive cross for Maguire to score the winner.

The Reluctant Heroes

From names that were once overlooked like Casemiro, Maguire, Mainoo... "The Red Devils" wrote a miraculous story right at their home ground. Casemiro was on the bench for a long time, Maguire was under heavy pressure from public opinion, and Mainoo was a young face with no great expectations. However, they became heroes.

This victory helps MU enter the Europa League semi-finals, facing a tough opponent, Athletic Bilbao. It will be another challenge, where mistakes will not be easily corrected. But for now, the "Red Devils" have the right to be proud of this legendary Old Trafford night.

What makes Manchester United special is not their consistency or their tactical sophistication. They are driven by emotion, by a fighting spirit that can be wild and fierce at times. They can stumble against lesser Premier League opponents, but they can also produce performances that will stun Europe.

The Lyon game exposed some weaknesses: Rasmus Hojlund remained silent, Garnacho squandered a chance with a very high xG (0.83), and the defence was still left with deadly gaps. However, United were saved by individual brilliance - something that has always been part of the Old Trafford identity.

Manchester United have reached the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this victory was not the score, but the way it happened. A seemingly patchwork team, but fighting with heart. An attack that ended the match with Maguire playing the highest, Mainoo operating as a false 9, Casemiro working like a box-to-box midfielder in his prime. All contributed to a scenario that had fans holding their breath every minute.

The more bizarre Manchester United are, the more fascinating they are. The more fragile they are, the more likely they are to produce miracles. They can drive people crazy when they stumble, but then make the whole football world take their hats off when they explode.

Manchester United are not a perfect team, and this season has proven that more than ever. But when they step out onto the pitch, wearing red, and fighting with the slogan "Never Gonna Stop", no one dares to underestimate this team.

The Europa League adventure continues. With high spirits and a strong belief, Ruben Amorim and his players are creating a journey that any fan would want to accompany to the end.

Source: https://znews.vn/doi-manchester-united-nay-qua-la-lung-post1546757.html