Report: Lyon 2 United 2

Joshua Zirkzee’s 88th-minute header had seemingly completed a spirited Reds comeback, in loud and hostile surroundings at the Groupama Stadium.

But Cherki dinked over Andre Onana to level with just seconds to play, adding a sour note to what had looked like a sweet sojourn to France.

Leny Yoro had earlier netted his first Reds goal, cancelling out Thiago Almada’s free-kick on the stroke of half-time and becoming the youngest defender to make it on the scoresheet for the club in Europe.

FIRST HALF – SET-PIECES KEY

Amorim selected the same 11 players who started Sunday’s Manchester derby – the first time he’d gone with an unchanged line-up since becoming United head coach in November.

Bruno Fernandes has been a near-constant presence in Ruben’s XI and the skipper provided the first moment of note when his wide free-kick had to be hooked behind by opposite number Corentin Tolisso.

The atmosphere at the Groupama Stadium was intense but the visitors were managing the contest well, as Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu dispossessed a defender to tee up Rasmus Hojlund, who couldn’t get a clean contact, scooping his effort well clear of Lucas Perri’s post.

On the opposite flank, Alejandro Garnacho got in behind and found the onrushing Fernandes with his cross, but Moussa Niakhite managed a key touch to deflect our no.8’s seemingly goalbound shot out for a corner.

It had been a bright start by the Reds, which made Lyon’s opener all the more galling.

Almada’s free-kick evaded every white shirt it was intended for, bouncing in front of Onana, who will feel aggrieved that he could not turn the ball clear.

With at least two-and-a-half hours of the tie left to play, there was no need to panic - although it was clear the next goal would be so important.

United had Noussair Mazraoui to thank for quelling a dangerous break as Lyon threatened their second and, within 90 seconds, we were level.

A Fernandes free-kick – from a similar position to Almada’s – was punched only half clear by Perri and, when Manuel Ugarte diverted it back towards goal, Yoro cleverly nodded past the Brazilian to open his Reds account.

SECOND HALF – LATE DRAMA!

Lyon sought to boost their goal threat early on in the second period, as former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette was introduced from the bench.

Lacazette has scored 196 goals across two spells with Les Gones and really should have increased his tally when meeting Georges Mikautadze’s flick on the volley – instead his shot flew harmlessly wide.

Tolisso’s radar was better calibrated but, after he’d swerved the attentions of Mazraoui with a delicious dummy on the edge of the box, the 2018 World Cup winner could only pick out the welcoming arms of Onana.

Paulo Fonseca’s switch to two attackers had doubtless made the hosts more incisive, although they did leave themselves more open to the counter, as evidenced when Mazraoui snuffed out a Mikautadze opening.

The ball broke clear to Garnacho but the Argentina international – supported by Fernandes and Zirkzee – couldn’t find the telling pass when sprinting in the final third, as the clock ticked into its final 20 minutes.

United progressed past Real Sociedad in the previous round after battling to a 1-1 draw away from home in the first leg, and it seemed for large parts here that we were happy to follow the same blueprint.

Few risks were being taken by either side, although one of the visitors’ more enterprising moves saw Garnacho test Perri’s reflexes when he met Dorgu’s centre at the back post.

Garnacho was replaced soon after by Kobbie Mainoo, the Academy graduate returning from injury to make his first appearance since early February. It was another substitute who provided the moment of the night, though.

Zirkzee had been quiet since being swapped in for Hojlund on the hour, but the tall Dutchman was in the right place at the right time to head Fernandes’s cross over Perri.

It seemed that would be enough to give United the advantage heading back to Manchester for next Thursday’s second leg, until Cherki pounced with seconds to go after his shot was parried back into the mixer by Onana.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire (Lindelof 83), Yoro; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte (Mount 72), Dorgu; Garnacho (Mainoo 83), Fernandes (c); Hojlund (Zirkzee 63).

Subs not used: Bayindir, Heaton, Amass, Kamason, Kukonki, Shaw, Eriksen, Moorhouse.

Booked: Dalot, Ugarte, Mount, Mainoo.

Goals: Yoro 45+5, Zirkzee 88

Lyon: Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Tolisso (c), Akouokou (Lacazette 51); Veretout, Cherki, Almada; Mikautadze.

Subs not used: Descamps, Diarra, Abner Vinicius, Barisic, Caleta-Car, Kumbedi, De Carvalho, Omari, Matic, Molebe, Rodriguez.

Booked: Tagliafico.

Goals: Almada 25, Cherki 90+5.