Manchester United host Lyon at Old Trafford for the decisive second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. The first leg in France ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving the contest finely balanced. United are seeking redemption after a disappointing domestic season, while Lyon aim to capitalise on their strong form to advance to the semi-finals.
Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
Kick-off: 10:00 PM EAT (8:00 PM BST)
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Aggregate Score: 2-2
Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
VAR: Fedayi San (Switzerland)
Team news
Manchester United:
- Injuries: Joshua Zirkzee (hamstring), Lisandro Martínez (ACL), Matthijs de Ligt (ankle), Amad Diallo (ankle), Jonny Evans (knock), Toby Collyer (knock)
- Goalkeeper: André Onana returns to the starting lineup after being benched in the previous match.
Lyon:
- Injuries: Ernest Nuamah (ACL)
- Form: Unbeaten in their last 12 away Europa League matches, with nine wins and three draws
Predicted lineups
Manchester United (3-4-2-1):
Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Højlund
Lyon (4-2-3-1):
Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Akouokou, Veretout; Cherki, Tolisso, Almada; Mikautadze
Key Players
- Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes – The captain’s creativity and leadership will be crucial in breaking down Lyon’s defense.
- Lyon: Rayan Cherki – Scored the late equalizer in the first leg and poses a significant threat in attack.
Match facts
- Head-to-Head: Manchester United are unbeaten in five previous meetings with Lyon, winning two and drawing three.
- Recent Form: United are winless in their last four matches, including a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle. Lyon have won four of their last five domestic games.
Prediction
Given Manchester United’s recent struggles and Lyon’s impressive away record, the match is poised to be a closely contested affair. However, United’s home advantage and experience in European competitions may give them the edge.
Predicted Score: Manchester United 2-1 Lyon For a detailed analysis and expert opinions, you can watch the ESPN FC preview below:
How to watch
- Kenya & sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
- Middle East & North Africa: beIN Sports
- United Kingdom: TNT Sports 1, discovery+ App
- United States: Paramount+, TUDN, Univision NOW, UniMás
- Canada: DAZN Canada
