The blue touch paper had been lit with the war of words between Nemanja Matic and Andre Onana before the game.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper said Man Utd were a better team, Matic in a pre-match press conference savagely responded labelling Onana ‘one of the worse goalkeepers in United’s history’.
The game had added spice, despite already being hugely important for Man Utd and Lyon.
Ironically, Lyon opened the scoring due to an Onana goalkeeping error and then equalised through another Onana error, not the first time the keeper has cost Man Utd in Europe.
After getting through a tough first half, an equaliser came at just the right time with an instinctive Leny Yoro header on the stroke of half time.
The crucial goal meant in the second half, despite Lyon’s attacks Man Utd had largely got the game to a tempo they wanted.
All things considered, in a hostile atmosphere against tricky attackers, Man Utd would have been very happy with the 2-1 win, but another error from Onana in the 95th minute left a bitter taste in the mouth.
Here are five things we learnt from the away tie vs Lyon:
1. Horrific Onana errors
Andre Onana has unfortunately conceded too many mistakes in Europe having been there for two seasons.
Last season’s Champions League campaign was littered with the keeper’s mistakes and after being involved in a war of words before the game, this was the last match he would’ve wanted to concede a goal.
Onana has a strange parrying technique where he tends to parry shots back out into dangerous areas. But with the set-piece goal conceded, despite the awkward bounce in front of him, he really should’ve pushed the ball away.
The same goes for the tame shot for the second goal where the keeper looked shaky.
There was some reports previously of Amorim wanting competition for Onana.
It feels as though if Onana’s poor showing continues, it will only be a matter of time before United look elsewhere or at least play Altay Bayandir more.
2. Wasteful in Attack again
There are not many options in attack for Ruben Amorim. Amad Diallo is still injured, Mason Mount’s minutes need to be managed and in many games Bruno Fernandes has needed to play in midfiled.
What this has meant is Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho have gotten a lot of minutes and both youngsters look devoid of confidence.
The build-up recently has improved, but it’s salient and irritating from a Man Utd perspective that when the ball reaches the final third, it’s only Bruno Fernandes that makes the right decision.
This was the case for Joshua Zirkzee’s headed goal.
Man Utd’s misfiring attack has been a gigantic problem for two seasons, bar a small period last season where Hojlund and Garnacho were on form before Hojlund got injured, it’s a concern that both have poor decision-making in the final third.
Man Utd conceded twice from goalkeeping errors, but could’ve scored more than two had it not been for another poor showing in attack.
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3. Good Mason Mount cameo
It’s so clear how much higher Mason Mount’s footballing IQ is then some of Man Utd’s other players.
Deep into the second half there was a situation where he was played the ball in his own half, the pass was overhit but he managed to wriggle away from three players and buy a foul.
Mount’s ability has not digressed, he has been incredibly unlucky with injuries since arriving at Old Trafford.
Amorim spoke of the Englishman glowingly in the media and it’s clear to see why.
More Mason Mount minutes will add depth and desperately needed guile in attack.
4. Last minute Lyon goal, a bitter pill to swallow
Despite the first Onana error, despite the hostile environment and Lyon’s tricky attack causing Man Utd problems, The Red Devils equalised then got their noses in front.
With only a few minutes left, a 2-1 win would’ve been a fabulous result to take back to Old Trafford next week which makes the last minute goal all the more stinging.
It’s the fact that throughout the game, though Lyon had chances, they scored from two completely avoidable goalkeeping errors.
The goal will give Lyon extra energy and hope going into the game next week.
5. Huge Home Tie Awaits
Goals change games. They effect the temperament and mood of players, staff and fans.
You could see Noussair Mazraoui’s face at the end of the game in utter disbelief at the fact Man Utd had thrown a lead away.
It goes without saying, but the Home Tie vs Lyon at Old Trafford next week is the biggest game of the season.
In the circumstances the away draw to Real Sociedad was one where Man Utd felt happier because it could’ve been much worse and they were never winning. Lyon was a different story.
They probably should’ve scored more and were leading with barely a minute to play.
With the Europa League the only chance for Man Utd to salvage a dreadful season the ante has been upped.
They will have to quickly dust themselves down after a horrible end to a game they should’ve won and prepare themselves for next week.
Man Utd will leave Lyon frustrated, but there is not time to rest on laurels as the biggest game of the season awaits them.
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