Andre Onana was the culprit at the Groupama Stadium in France as Lyon held Manchester United to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal clash on Thursday.
Onana, who earlier in the week was involved in a war of words with Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic, who called the former Ajax man the ‘worst goalkeeper in United history’, made two errors in the four-goal thriller to continue his abysmal outing in Europe since joining the club.
Late drama in Lyon
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The Cameroonian failed to deal with a cross from a Thiago Almada set piece in the 25th minute as the Argentine midfielder put the hosts ahead, six minutes after United forward Rasmus Hojlund missed a glorious chance on the other end.
The visitors, however, levelled proceedings just before the halftime break through French defender Leny Yoro, whose header beat goalkeeper Lucas Perri for his first United goal.
Changes were made by both sides in the second half, with Lyon coming close to restoring their lead twice, but Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso failed to trouble Onana with their attempts.
United, meanwhile, almost made the hosts rue their missed chances as Alejandro Garnacho forced a brilliant save from Perri, while Casemiro’s header from a Bruno Fernandes corner kick was inches wide off the mark.
Lacazette once again squandered a golden chance for Lyon, but this time, United made them pay on the other end as substitute Joshua Zirkzee put the Premier League club in the lead in the 88th minute.
After Kobbie Mainoo found Fernandes in space, the United captain brilliantly picked out Zirkzee at the far post with a cross, which the Dutch forward headed past Perri.
Ruben Amorim’s side were minutes away from claiming a first-leg advantage, but Rayan Cherki had other ideas as the French forward poked the ball past Onana and into the net in the 95th minute after the goalkeeper spilled an initial effort from Georges Mikautadze.
Lyon’s equaliser was the latest goal the Red Devils had ever conceded in the Europa League, and it was enough to set up a thrilling second-leg encounter at Old Trafford in a week’s time.
