“In football, anything can happen.”
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, football finds a way to surprise you again. That perfectly sums up the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final between Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais.
Lyon, two goals down, stormed back to level the match. Not long after, they added two more, taking a stunning 6–4 lead on aggregate.
Now this wasn’t the first time this season United had thrown away a lead. Understandably, Old Trafford was steeped in frustration, again. Some fans even began to leave. Even I also thought to turn the TV off and go to sleep.
But as Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “Football, bloody hell!” The Theatre of Dreams lived up to its name, just as it has many, many times.
In what you could call a jaw-dropping final act, Ruben Amorim’s side scored three goals in just eight minutes. Two of them arriving in the dying moments of extra time. The tie ended 7–6. Against all odds, The Red Devils are into the semi-finals. It’s a glimmer of hope in what has otherwise been one of the club’s most underwhelming seasons since the 1980s.
Even the most devoted Red Devils supporters like me would admit that this club is in shambles. But on nights like this, football lives on. Manchester United lives on.
The star of the show, you would think were the goal scorers, Kobbie Mainoo and ofcourse, ‘Big headed’ Harry Maguire. But the real star, I believe was Casemiro. The former Brazilian and Real Madrid defensive midfielder who has won almost every club level trophy there is turned back the time and gave United the much needed push.
In the 114th minute, he drew the penalty when United was down 6-4. Then he gave back to back two assists. One, a back-heel to Mainoo, and another a terrific long cross to Maguire.
Kobbie Mainoo’s finish was ice-cold for someone so young, showing once again why he’s considered the future of this club. Being just 19 years old, Mainoo has had some clutch moments already. And as a fan we hope there is a lot more to come.
And then, Harry Maguire — a player written off by many — rose high, both literally and metaphorically, to nod in the winner. It was redemption, it was chaos, it was beautiful.
Yes, it was a respite. But boy we have been way off this season. I don’t think so we hardly saw any match where we have won comfortably.
This win doesn’t fix the season. It doesn’t erase the frustrations, the tactical chaos, or the injury list that feels never-ending. But what it does give, even if just for a night — is belief. Belief that Amorim is the right man. Belief that we are shaping up well. The kind of belief that United fans have clung to through the toughest years. A reminder that in the Theatre of Dreams, magic can still happen. Amorim’s tactics clicked, the players dug deep, and for once, the fight matched the badge.
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