Was Manchester United v Lyon UEFA Europa League epic the game of the season? Two penalties, a sending off and Harry Maguire the hero

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Harry Maguire has a habit of scoring important goals for Manchester United, and did so on Thursday to send Ruben Amorim's side through to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. The Reds set up a last-four clash with Athletic Club after winning 7-6 on aggregate, recovering from 4-2 down to win 5-4 in extra-time on the night to seal the most unlikely of victories. Was it the game of the season so far?

Highlights: Maguire the hero as Man Utd beat Lyon in all-time classic

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Harry Maguire showed his immense grit and determination once again last night, powering home a header to send Manchester United through to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.

However, that only told a tiny part of a topsy-turvy story at Old Trafford which showcased football at its wildest and most unpredictable.

If anything, United's season has been largely predictable - certainly in the Premier League - with stodgy and turgid displays which have left Ruben Amorim's side languishing in the bottom half of the table.

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While excitement may have been in short supply domestically, that definitely wasn’t the case in Europe, as United became the first team in history to score two goals in the 120th minute of a major European match.

Lyon scored four unanswered goals to recover from 2-0 down to take a 4-2 lead.

If anything, with 70 minutes played, it looked like United were heading for a comfortable win after goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot.

Incredible scenes as Mainoo snatches leveller deep into extra time – ‘It is brilliant!’

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But Amorim’s side were left to rue several missed chances to wrap up the match, as Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico wiped out their lead.

Tolisso was then harshly given a second yellow card with extra time approaching for a foul on Casemiro, but the match unexpectedly turned in Lyon’s favour.

United fans had that sinking feeling again when Rayan Cherki fired the Ligue 1 side in front, before Alexandre Lacazette gave Paulo Fonseca’s side a 4-2 lead from the penalty spot after Malick Fofana was brought down inside the box.

But then came the turnaround which would have prompted plenty of hasty rewrites of the narrative in the press box.

Casemiro earned the hosts a penalty which Bruno Fernandes dispatched in the 114th minute, before Kobbie Mainoo was coolness personified to fire home a remarkably composed 120th equaliser.

The drama was not over though, with Maguire’s late header from Casemiro’s drifted ball into the box completing an outstanding turnaround.

Maguire scores unforgettable winner for Man Utd - 'One of the most astonishing nights!'

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‘Manchester United looked dead and buried’

It sparked absolute pandemonium in the commentary box, as Darren Fletcher, Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage had barely caught their breath after Mainoo’s leveller.

Speaking in commentary as Casemiro took hold of the ball, Fletcher said: "Let's just break for a second to remember there might be penalties yet.

A penalty shootout was the reality for a matter of seconds, as the next words to come out of Fletcher’s mouth were: "Here's Casemiro, into Maguire!

To which a jubilant Savage replied: "I told you, I told you!"

Fletcher then composed himself and did his best to sum up the mayhem which had ensued inside Old Trafford, and continued: "Maguire has just scored and Manchester United are heading into the semi-finals in one of the most remarkable nights this stadium has ever seen in European competition.

"Manchester United looked dead and buried, and Harry Maguire - the centre-back playing centre-forward - has just scored what might be the winning goal!"

'Here, everything is possible' - Amorim used famous 1999 comeback as inspiration

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Amorim channels spirit of '99

Comparing this Manchester United team in any way to the all-conquering treble-winning squad of 1999 seems ludicrous, and quite frankly, disrespectful.

However, one could not help and draw comparisons with that great United side when assessing how Amorim’s troops reignited themselves back into contention.

The man himself admits he drew inspiration from Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges and their incredible comeback from a goal down in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final, as stoppage-time strikes from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sealed a second European title in Barcelona.

He told TNT Sports: "It was fun. I was watching the 1999 [game], the commentary. To have some inspiration for this moment.

"It was a great night. I think the team was tired, and you feel it during the game. 4-2, even with one more player, you think it's over. But here it's never over," continued Amorim.

"I felt that here, everything is possible. You feel the environment, then after the 4-3, the penalty from Bruno, you feel that you can change the game."

Man Utd heroes Mainoo and Maguire reflect on ‘amazing comeback'

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Substitutions pay off

Amorim’s substitutions on the night certainly paid off, and Maguire’s role as a makeshift centre-forward certainly saved United’s season.

Maguire has taken more than his fair share of criticism for both club and country, but you cannot help but admire the 32-year-old’s incredible resilience.

He has often proved himself as the man for the big occasion and certainly delivered here, although Amorim’s admission that Maguire is "the only guy capable of scoring a goal with his head," will send a few alarm bells ringing regarding his current lack of attacking depth in the squad.

He explained: "We tried to put Harry Maguire up front, because he's the only guy capable of scoring a goal with his head.

"Kobbie Mainoo has a lack of pace at this moment because he had that injury, and he stopped for a while, but he's really good in small spaces, and he has the ability for that kind of goal.

"We tried, sometimes it works, and today was a good day."

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