Preview: United need to beat Lyon to make the semi finals of the UEFA Europa League; Zirkzee out of action for the season? Hojlund needs to perform!

Manchester United -v- Olympique Lyonnais

UEFA Europa League

Old Trafford, Manchester

Thursday 17 April 2024, KO 20:00 BST

Manchester United return to UEFA Europa League action on Thursday evening at Old Trafford knowing that if they play in the manner they did against Newcastle United on Sunday, they will be out of the European competition this season and not likely to play in Europe again until the season after next.

United were defeated by Newcastle in a 4-1 humiliation, despite coming back from 1-0 down to level at 1-1 eight minutes before the end of the first half. United then conceded another goal four minutes into the second half, shipping two more before the end of the match. A humiliation at the wee club in the North East.

Lyon returned to winning ways against Auxerre at the weekend, winning 3-1 after the 2-2 draw against United last week, which places this Europa League showdown at the Theatre of Dreams on Thursday evening with United needing to pull a result out of the bag so they reach the semi finals stage of the competition this season.

United – Form, Goals Scored & Assists

Newcastle 4-1 L, Lyon 2-2 D, City 0-0 D, Forest 1-0 L, Leicester 3-0 W, Sociedad 4-1 W

Goals: 16 – Bruno Fernandes, 10 – Alejandro Garnacho, 9 – Amad, 8 – Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, 7 – Joshua Zirkzee, 4 – Christian Eriksen, 3 – Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, 2 – Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, 1 – Antony, Jonny Evans, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro

Assists: 16 – Bruno Fernandes, 8 – Alejandro Garnacho, 7 – Amad, 5 – Diogo Dalot, 4 – Christian Eriksen, 3 – Marcus Rashford, 2 – Rasmus Hojlund, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, 1 – Kobbie Mainoo

Lyon – Form, Goals Scored & Assists

Auxerre 3-1 W, United 2-2 D, Lille 2-1 W, Strasbourg 4-2 L, Le Harve 4-2 W, FCSB 4-0 W

Goals: 15 – Alexandre Lacazette, Georges Mikautadze, 11 – Rayan Cherki, 10 – Malick Fofana, 8 – Corentin Tolisso, 6 – Ernest Nuamah, 4 – Nicolás Tagliafico, 3 – Saïd Benrahma, 2 – Abner, Thiago Almada, Gift Orban, Jordan Veretout, 1 – Duje Caleta-Car, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Nemanja Matic

Assists: 18 – Rayan Cherki, 9 – Georges Mikautadze, 7 – Corentin Tolisso, 6 – Saïd Benrahma, 5 – Malick Fofana, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 3 – Clinton Mata, Nicolás Tagliafico, 2 – Alexandre Lacazette, Ernest Nuamah, Thiago Almada, 1 – Abner, Duje Caleta-Car, Nemanja Matic, Jordan Veretout, Wilfried Zaha

Previous Meetings & Connections

United and Lyon have played five times in the history of both clubs. United have won twice and drawn three times – never losing to the French club. In 2004 United drew 2-2 with Ruud van Nistelrooy scoring both goals away from home. In the return leg, United won 2-1 with Gary Neville and Van Nistelrooy both scoring.

In 2008 the two clubs met in the round of 16 stage of the UEFA Champions League. The first leg was a 1-1 draw with Carlos Tevez scoring for United. In the second leg, United won 1-0 with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the only Goa of the match. United went on to lift the Champions League that season.

Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Rafael da Silva, Signe Bruun, Melvine Malard, Nikita Parris, Nemanja Matic and Wilfried Zaha have all played for both Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais throughout their careers. Matic and Zaha are the only players currently plying their trade at the French club.

Team News

United: United’s injury crisis has got worse with Joshua Zirkzee out of action for a number of weeks, possibly the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury. This gives United no real depth in the attacking ranks and will need to find a makeshift striker with Rasmus Hojlund not fulfilling his promise to succeed in his role at the club.

Ruled Out: Lisandro Martinez (knee), Matthijs de Ligt (ankle/foot), Jonny Evans (lower back), Amad (ankle/foot), Toby Collyer (other) and Joshua Zirkzee (thigh)

Doubts: None

Suspended: None

Lyon: The French side have just two players out of action at this current time with one of whom looking to get back into action either on Thursday or soon after. United will be negatively affected with the number of first team players on the sidelines through injury – but that is something the manager will need to deal with adequately.

Ruled Out: Malick Fofana (knee) and Ernest Nuamah (cruciate ligament tear)

Doubts: None

Suspended: None

Predicted United Starting XI – 3-4-2-1

Onana;

Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro;

Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu;

Fernandes, Garnacho;

Hojlund

Predicted Lyon Starting XI – 4-2-3-1

Perri;

Maitland-Niles, Mata. Niakhaté, Tagliafico;

Matic, Tolisso;

Cherki, Almada, Mikautadze;

Lacazette

History, training and the lead up to the big match

United and Lyon have met five times in European football now with United winning twice and drawing three times – never losing against the French club. United will need to get that third win on the board on Thursday evening as their season and participation in Europe could still be on the cards next season – it is United’s only hope.

United did not do well against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday, losing 4-1 despite it being 1-1 at half time. United capitulated which resulted in questions from the manager for the players, who seem to be terrible this season – which says a lot. You can change the manager but the same thing happens all of the time.

United will need to get on the front foot an ensure that this match puts them in the driving seat. They are unbeaten in the Europa League this season – in 11 matches so far with a possible four to play if they reach the final. It all depends on which ‘United’ turn up though as if the same team on Sunday plays, it will be curtains for United.

Manchester United 3-1 Olympique Lyonnais

Written by Paul