Before Thursday’s first-leg Europa League clash with Lyon, many of a Manchester United persuasion would have been more than happy to have secured a draw ahead of next week’s return fixture at Old Trafford, with such a result on the road ensuring that Ruben Amorim’s men remain in control of proceedings.
Having ultimately played out a 2-2 stalemate with the Ligue 1 side, however, the overriding feeling is one of deflation, with the hosts snatching a draw right at the death following last-gasp heroics from Rayan Cherki.
The majestic playmaker pounced on Andre Onana’s mistake – not the Cameroonian’s first of the night – to level things up in the fifth minute of stoppage time, with it having initially looked like Joshua Zirkzee’s late header would be enough to seal the win for the Red Devils.
Frustratingly, there is still work to do next week when the two sides meet again, with Amorim left to ponder his selection decisions for that second-leg, as well as for Sunday’s trip to St James’ Park.
A raft of changes could well be on the cards, and not just due to rotation.
Man Utd's worst performers against Lyon
The obvious place to start is, of course, with that man Onana, with the 28-year-old ending proceedings as he began the night – dominating the headlines.
After his war of words with former United star, Nemanja Matic, the ex-Inter stopper needed to put in a serene display up against the French outfit to back up his pre-match verbals. Sadly for Amorim and for Onana, he did anything but.
At fault for both of the hosts’ goals on the night, the one-time Ajax hero has now made more errors than any another Premier League goalkeeper in all competitions, since the start of last season, having endured a wretched two-year spell at the Theatre of Dreams.
Arijanet Muric
5
Robert Sanchez
5
Bart Verbruggen
4
Andre Onana
3
Alphonse Areola
2
Alex McCarthy
2
Nick Pope
2
Ederson
2
Not that Onana was alone in having another off night on Thursday evening, with Rasmus Hojlund fluffing an effort wide and registering just 11 touches in total, before being hooked on the hour mark.
In between the two, Manuel Ugarte once again failed to last the full 90 minutes following a largely frustrating performance, with the Uruguayan – who can at least claim the assist for Leny Yoro’s equaliser – winning just two of his six duels, while being the recipient of a needless yellow card.
There will likely be calls for that trio to be replaced with the likes of Altay Bayindir, Mason Mount and the aforementioned Zirkzee moving forward, while young Alejandro Garnacho is another who could be in the firing line.
The Man Utd man who was outclassed by Cherki
Despite slipping to a draw at the death, United may feel as if they are still well-placed to progress – that is unless Cherki has something to say about it.
Indeed, the 21-year-old Frenchman was a real shining light on the night for the home side, having deservedly stolen the acclaim with his late dink over Onana, after smartly pouncing on the goalkeeper’s errant parry.
Widely touted as the heir to Karim Benzema for both club and country, the fleet-footed forward almost strolled through the game with consummate ease, having notably racked up four key passes in total – more than any other player on the pitch.
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The local hero also successfully completed four of his attempted dribbles amid his desire to provide that attacking spark for his side, with such a performance looking completely at odds with United’s own rising star, Garnacho.
While the Argentine did end the night with a 100% pass accuracy, his showing was summed up by his poor decision-making on the counter late on, having failed to pick out the advancing Zirkzee, before firing in a wayward pass to the stretching Bruno Fernandes.
Minutes played
90
83
Touches
72
32
Pass accuracy
88%
100%
Key passes
4
1
Big chances created
0
0
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
0
Successful dribbles
4/7
0/0
Total duels won
6/12
3/8
Possession lost
17x
8x
Operating on the right of the front three, the 20-year-old – who actually had fewer touches than Onana recorded in the sticks (35) – had little joy in an attacking sense, albeit while picking out Fernandes in the first half with a clever pull-back.
The Spain-born speedster did also have the chance to net himself at the backpost in the second half, following a fine cross from Patrick Dorgu, yet – as has been the norm of late – he simply couldn’t convert the chance.
Still with just two goals to his name under Amorim, Garnacho’s suitability to this 3-4-3 system remains up for debate, with MEN journalist Samuel Luckhurst handing him just a 5/10 match rating, while writing that his ‘end product was often lacking’.
Despite just a slight age difference between the pair, there appeared to be a real gulf in quality and class between Garnacho and Cherki, with the latter man looking like the type of figure who would relish the role in one of the two number ten berths.
It is for no reason that teammate and ex-Arsenal man Ainsley Maitland-Niles has lauded Cherki as the “best natural talent [he’s] ever seen”, with Garnacho, by contrast, looking as if he’s not even fit to lace the Lyon man’s boots.
Can that all change at Old Trafford next week?
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