Manchester United’s Europa League campaign is still hanging in the balance after a dramatic 2-2 draw away to Lyon on Thursday night.
Ruben Amorim’s men looked set to take a huge step towards the semi-finals after scoring late, only for a stoppage-time equaliser to keep the tie wide open ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.
The match saw another high-profile mistake from goalkeeper Andre Onana, whose position is already under scrutiny following recent criticism.
With speculation building over potential changes this summer, Amorim’s tactical decisions in big games are being closely analysed.
Despite fielding a strong side, United found themselves under pressure for large spells of the first leg and may now need to adopt a more aggressive approach in front of their own fans next week.
The fallout from Thursday’s clash has seen Lyon’s Rayan Cherki launch a pointed attack at United’s tactics, suggesting Amorim’s side came to France with the sole intention of defending.
Rayan Cherki, who scored the late equaliser following an Onana fumble, didn’t hold back post-match, saying United were “afraid” and showed Lyon too much respect.
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“We played a full game.
“We were much better than that team,” he told reporters.
“We know Manchester are a good team.
“We were never afraid of them.
“We will never be afraid of them.”
Cherki also took aim at United’s formation: “When you come with two defensive midfielders, there’s no need to say more.”
His words echo the criticism of Onana earlier in the week, after the keeper claimed United were a better team than Lyon – a comment that prompted a fiery response from Nemanja Matic, who called him one of the worst in United’s history.
Speaking to Canal+, Cherki doubled down on his view: “When you see that they come with two defensive midfielders, it’s because they’re particularly afraid of us.”
Lyon now believe they can go to Old Trafford and take the game to United, with Cherki vowing they will attack from the first whistle.
United, meanwhile, must bounce back from another defensive wobble if they hope to salvage their European season next Thursday.
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Source: Centred Devils