Manchester United’s stunning 5-4 extra-time win over Lyon at Old Trafford has revived the club’s famed never-say-die spirit—but also laid bare the gamble Ruben Amorim faces as his first season reaches a high-stakes climax.
Harry Maguire’s 120th-minute winner—marking the first such goal in Europa League history—capped a comeback from 4-2 down with just six minutes of extra time remaining.
The dramatic finish not only kept United’s season alive but also underlined the volatility of Amorim’s tenure as he balances ambition with growing uncertainty.
“This kind of moment can help the players a lot,” Amorim told reporters. “It can create some connection with the fans and we can forget for a few minutes what kind of season we are having.”
The Portuguese manager, appointed midway through a turbulent campaign, now finds himself three games from potential European glory. United face Spain’s Athletic Bilbao next, followed possibly by a final against Bodo/Glimt or Tottenham.
However, Amorim also acknowledged the toll. United must now prepare for Wolves, with Amorim suggesting he may rest key players. “We have to take a risk and save some players,” he said. “If you look at our season, the most important thing for everybody is Europa League.”
That approach could affect domestic form. United sit 14th in the Premier League, and further decline could cost the club millions in prize money. Conversely, winning the Europa League guarantees Champions League qualification—and a significant financial windfall.
Despite the chaos, United’s fighting spirit was evident. They clawed their way back with intensity and belief, characteristics that have long defined the club’s greatest triumphs. “He’s a striker, not a defender,” Amorim said of Maguire. “He knows how to behave in that space.”
Yet the flaws remain: conceding in quick succession, missed chances from Alejandro Garnacho and Patrick Dorgu, and fragile game control. These issues threaten to unravel progress at any moment.
In a match that made history—five goals were scored after extra time in a major European fixture for the first time—United’s campaign now teeters between triumph and collapse.
As Amorim puts faith in grit and risk over perfection, the season’s final five weeks promise either enduring glory or unforgettable embarrassment.
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