Onana’s Errors Cost United in Thrilling 2-2 Draw Against Lyon

LYON, France — Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana‘s two costly mistakes led to a dramatic 2-2 draw against Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final on April 10, 2025.

United had the opportunity to secure an away victory, with goals from Thiago Almada and Rayan Cherki, but their playoff hopes were diminished thanks to Onana’s blunders. Lyon capitalized on the first mistake, scoring just before halftime and equalizing deep into stoppage time.

After the match, United manager Ruben Amorim expressed disappointment but remained optimistic. “We are really disappointed,” he said. “We should have taken a one-goal advantage to the next game but we have the next game at home and we’ll try to win it.”

United initially took the lead with a header from Almada in the 25th minute, followed by a second goal from Leny Yoro just before halftime. Despite their strong start, Onana’s shaky performance allowed Lyon to mount a comeback.

The first error occurred when Onana misjudged a free-kick delivery, allowing Lyon’s Leny Yoro to capitalize and score their first goal, leveling the match at 1-1. Things got worse for United when Rayan Cherki leveled the game with a last-minute goal, officially clocked at 94:30, marking the latest goal United has ever conceded in Europa League history.

Amorim noted that while Onana’s performance was subpar, he would remain in the lineup as the team prepares for the second leg at Old Trafford. “When one player makes a mistake, the whole team has a mistake. We continue like that,” he said, brushing off speculation about dropping the goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund struggled on the pitch with just 10 touches in the first half and failed to make an impact, reflecting a troubling trend of inconsistent performance from the young striker this season. After being substituted in the 63rd minute, Hojlund ended the match with a disappointing record of eight goals in 42 appearances.

Conversely, Yoro’s performance was a bright spot for United. His timely goal and overall contributions to the defense have marked him as a player to watch as the team approaches crucial matches. “I want to win so no time for celebration,” Yoro said after his goal, showcasing his focus on the bigger picture.

Both teams will shift their attention back to domestic league action this weekend, with Manchester United facing Newcastle and Lyon taking on Auxerre. The second leg of the Europa League quarter-final promises to be a highly charged match, with United looking to regain momentum after this setback.

As Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca addressed the post-match media, he downplayed the encounters between Onana and Nemanja Matic, framing it as a normal situation within the sport. “Of course we need to respect everyone’s opinion,” Fonseca remarked.

Looking ahead, United fans can only hope their side can regroup and bring a stronger performance in the crucial second leg on April 17 at home. With a favorable record in the current Europa League campaign, United remains a top contender to progress further and compete for the trophy in Bilbao.