Ruben Amorim thinks that Manchester United’s astonishing return against Lyon to reach the Europa League semi-final could be the spark to rekindle the fortune of the Red Devils under the Portuguese coach.
United scored three goals in the last seven additional minutes in a remarkable competition at Old Trafford to go to the last four where they will meet athletic Bilbao after a global victory of 7-6.
The Amorim team endured a hot period this season, but everything that seemed forgotten when Harry Maguire found the net in the 121st minute of the match to give United a 5-4 victory and send the crowd to home.
The hosts had run in a comfortable 2-0 at halftime via Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot, but Lyon struck the goals in the second half of Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico.
Tolisso was then sent shortly before the end of normal time, however, although he was a broken player, the visitors shocked their hosts in an additional time with goals from Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette.
United then organized a valiant return of their own with the kind permission of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Main before the head of Maguire triggers jubilant scenes in the stands.
In the semi-finals!#MUFC || #Uel
– Manchester United (@manutd) April 17, 2025
This ended what was an exciting competition for Old Trafford. And Amorim was quick to quote another memorable evening in the annals of united history.
“I was watching the 1999 documentary again for inspiration for these moments. It was an excellent night,” said the united boss.
“The team was tired and you felt it during the match. In the end, you think it’s over but here [Old Trafford] It’s never over.
“I think here everything is possible. You feel the environment. “
Amorim admitted that playing both in the Premier League and European Games had wreaked havoc on the physicity of his team.
And while the UNI director also called for improvement on his side, he declared that a victory in moral stimulation can have large -scale consequences, but stressed that supporters will have to agree to prioritize the Europa League.
“We have a lot to improve, but the character was there,” said Amorim.
“The reflection of the coach is the league. You can be good in European matches, but your team reflection is the league and we are under playing.
“But you have to see the context. You can see that we lack characteristics in our team. When we play against European teams, you can feel that we can do better [physicality]. In the Premier League, we suffer a lot.
“It’s a type of moment that can change a lot. Sometimes we just look at tactical aspects, physical aspects. But this type of moments can change a lot in the minds of players.
“We will have to be really focused on the Europa League and sometimes take a risk with the children of the Premier League. And fans must understand this.”
