United v Lyon: Team news, TV info and permutations

Marc Skinner’s side are guaranteed a spot in at least the play-offs, however victory over Lyon at the Progress With Unity Stadium on Wednesday would go a long way towards securing a berth in the league phase’s top four.

That would mean progress straight through to next spring’s quarter-finals, and importantly there would be no need to tackle an energy-sapping two-legged eliminator in February.

Before we get to that stage, the 18-time French champions will provide formidable opposition as one of only three teams left unbeaten in this season’s competition. Lyon have won the Champions League a record eight times and, although Barcelona have overtaken them as the continent's pre-eminent force in recent years, they are still among the favourites to lift the trophy in Oslo next May.

Here’s what you need to know, before Jonatan Giraldez brings his side to Leigh…

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

As with all of this season’s games, Wednesday’s clash is being broadcast live on Disney+, at 20:00 GMT, but don’t forget about MUTV’s offering.

Liam Bradford is hosting our live watchalong, which you can watch over on the official YouTube channel, and via the United App and ManUtd.com.

We’ll have in-game updates in the app itself, and subscribers can check back two hours after the final whistle for highlights.

TEAM NEWS

It was encouraging to see goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce appear again in Sunday's 2-1 win over West Ham, albeit with the protection of a face mask after missing three games with a fractured eye socket.

Millie Turner returned to training last week, and Skinner has said she could be involved later on in the December fixtures, having not appeared since September’s win at London City Lionesses. Celin Bizet Donnum and husband Aron announced their pregnancy last week.

Wednesday’s visitors were without captain and all-time great defender Wendie Renard for Saturday’s 3-0 win at Dijon.

Renard, who recently celebrated her 100th victory in the Champions League, was left out of the squad ahead of the trip to England, along with forward Kadidiatou Diani.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Lyon have failed to win the French title just once since 2006 and they are top of the tree again, with a perfect record from their nine games played thus far.

Paris Saint-Germain are the only team to break Lyon’s hegemony in that time but, although the capital club are looking like the closest challengers they were predicted to be this term, they were easily beaten 6-1 when the sides met in late September.

Lyon’s domestic form has translated to the European stage too, via victories over holders Arsenal, Austrian side St Polten and rivals Wolfsburg, who they have previously bested in three finals. They were three goals down to Juventus at half-time last time out, but recovered to secure a point late on, with Renard slotting home the equaliser in stoppage-time.

Ada Hegerberg is still the standout name and leading scorer in the squad, and three of her six goals this term have come in this competition. US internationals Lindsey Heaps and Korbin Shrader provide legs in the midfield, but there's experience and class dotted throughout the side, with goalkeeper Christiane Endler long-recognised as one of the world's best.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Both sides have already safely confirmed European football in 2026, and a win for either would move them a step closer to securing a coveted quarter-final spot.

With the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Real Madrid in close proximity, it is unlikely that a top-four berth will be confirmed either way, while a draw could open the door for the chasing pack.

United – who sit fourth on nine points – travel to eighth-placed Juventus next Wednesday, while second-placed Lyon – a point further clear – host Atletico Madrid.

RIVALS WATCH

Here’s how this week’s schedule looks, in the Women’s Champions League…

TUESDAY 9 DECEMBER

St Polten v Juventus (17:45 GMT)
Arsenal v FC Twente
Paris Saint-Germain v OH Leuven
Real Madrid v Wolfsburg

WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER

Barcelona v Benfica (17:45 GMT)
Valerenga v Paris FC (17:45 GMT)
Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich
Chelsea v Roma
UNITED v Lyon

All kick-offs 20:00 GMT unless stated.