The Europa League quarter-final returns to Old Trafford with everything to play for. Following an entertaining 2-2 draw in the first leg at Groupama Stadium, Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais meet again with a semi-final berth hanging in the balance. While Manchester United seek redemption on home soil, Lyon arrive with growing momentum and belief that they can eliminate a Premier League giant.
Loud and proud, together ✨#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/dJFLwzXUfn
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 15, 2025
Manchester United vs Lyon Key Talking Points
- First leg ended 2-2, with both teams producing five shots on target and equal possession (50%-50%)
- Lyon’s attacking trio of Rayan Cherki, Thiago Almada, and Alexandre Lacazette caused constant problems for United’s backline
- Manchester United’s defense continues to show signs of instability, conceding 4 goals against Newcastle United in their latest outing
Manchester United – Current Form & Concerns
- Only 3 wins in their last 10 league matches
- Conceded 2 or more goals in 15 of 32 Premier League matches this season
- Averaging just 1.1 goals scored per game and 1.3 conceded
- Andre Onana has kept only 3 clean sheets in the last 10 games
- Struggling to control games in midfield; Casemiro and Ugarte yet to establish rhythm
- Top performers: Bruno Fernandes (3 goals, 3 assists), Alejandro Garnacho (2 goals)
Lyon – In-Form and Fearless
- 7 wins in their last 10 matches across all competitions
- Scoring an average of 2.7 goals per game
- Have scored 2+ goals in each of their last 10 away matches
- Average 57% possession with 543.9 passes per game, showing dominance in midfield
- Rayan Cherki has been the creative engine with 6 assists and 5 goals
- Alexandre Lacazette leads the team with 7 goals in the last 10 matches
Statistical Comparison – Last 10 Matches
Manchester United:
- 3 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses
- 50.3% average possession
- 13.1 total shots per match
- 5.2 corners per match
- 1.1 goals scored per game
- 1.3 goals conceded per game
Lyon:
- 7 wins, 3 losses
- 57% average possession
- 12 total shots per match
- 3.7 corners per match
- 2.7 goals scored per game
- 1.6 goals conceded per game
🦁🔴🔵 Our squad for tomorrow!#MUFCOL pic.twitter.com/RBOCJooJOV
— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) April 16, 2025
Manchester United vs Lyon Predicted Starting XI
Manchester United (3-4-3):
- Onana (GK), Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro
- Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Patrick Dorgu
- Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund
Lyon (4-3-3):
- Perri (GK), Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico
- Veretout, Akouokou, Tolisso
- Cherki, Lacazette, Almada
Manchester United vs Lyon Betting Insight & Value Picks
- Manchester United win odds: 1.75
- Lyon win odds: 4.33
- Draw odds: 3.60
- Double Chance (Lyon or Draw): 2.00 – Strong value given Lyon’s current form
- Over 2.5 Goals: 1.78 – Highly probable based on both teams’ scoring trends
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS): 1.62 – 8 out of Lyon’s last 10 away games saw BTTS
Place your bets at JitaBet, JitaWin, and Jita88, they offer really good odds, play and win big!
Ruben has decided which goalkeeper will start against Lyon ✅#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 16, 2025
Conclusion
Lyon arrive at Old Trafford with confidence, cohesion, and a tactical edge that could see them shock Manchester United and advance to the Europa League semi-finals. With Zirkzee ruled out and United showing defensive vulnerabilities, the pressure falls on Rasmus Højlund and Bruno Fernandes to inspire a response.
Lyon, meanwhile, boast an attacking trio in peak form, with Rayan Cherki pulling the creative strings and Alexandre Lacazette finishing with precision. Their record away from home is outstanding, and their midfield has consistently outmaneuvered elite opposition.
Unless Manchester United deliver a significant tactical and mental shift, Lyon are well-positioned to either win or hold out for a result that takes them through.
