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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has revealed what he told his players in half half-time of extra time to inspire their brilliant Europa League comeback against Lyon.
United were leading 2-0 by the interval thanks to goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot, before a quickfire pair from the visitors equalised to force the match into extra time.
Lyon then went a man down after Corentin Tolisso was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. Paulo Fonseca’s men were undeterred and added two goals through Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette in the first half of extra time.
It looked like United were dead and buried but the Red Devils pulled off a dramatic comeback, scoring three goals in the last six minutes of the match.
Bruno Fernandes struck from the spot-kick before Kobbie Mainoo smashed the ball into the back of the net in the 120th minute. The game seemed destined for a penalty shootout until Harry Maguire towered over the Lyon defence and nodded in home to secure his side’s place in the final four, where they will face Athletic Club.
Amorim spoke to reporters in his post-match presser and gave his thoughts on the triumph and what it could mean for United moving forward.
Asked whether that was the best feeling he has ever had in his managerial career, Amorim answered, “It’s hard to say but in here, and the sound of the last two goals were amazing and that is something that we can keep for the future. It was a good feeling but at the end of the game, you go to the semi-finals and you need to win it.”
“We just need to focus on the next stage and try to win the competition.”
On whether he truly believed United would stage a comeback, Amorim said, “You think it’s hard but you try to make some changes or try to push the players…give energy to the players and in this stadium, in this club, you always have that feeling that anything can happen and today was another day like that.”
On whether he can detach himself from the ‘chaos’ at United and how he felt in those dying embers of the match, Amorim told reporters, “I think that’s why we like this sport so much and all the frustration that the coach has in this kind of season…the frustration, the bad moments. When you have moments like this, it’s all worth it.”
“But then you finish the game, you calm down and you start thinking we have a game on Sunday and then we have to see all the players if they are fit to play because we need to focus a lot on the Europa League.”
“I think these kinds of moments can help the players a lot in this kind of season. These kinds of moments can create some connection between the fans and the players and for a few minutes, we can forget what kind of season we are having.”
“Today is a good feeling, but tomorrow we need to start everything again. We need to focus on the next game and focus on the players to see if they are fit to play. We have to take a risk with some players because if you look at our season, the most important thing is the Europa League.”
On what he told his players at half time in extra time, Amorim revealed, “It was to change the positions, to try to be really clear about the position of Harry Maguire, trying to put Casemiro near the goal, Kobbie Mainoo near the goal, Mason Mount to cross balls and to try to explain that we need to score one goal and anything can change.”
“We try to push the team, but it’s of course a difficult moment and then you have to be really lucky to change the game and that was the case today.”
Amorim refuted any suggestions that Maguire will regularly play in an attacking role, although he insisted that if need be, he will be pushed forward and assume the duties of a striker.
Looking ahead to the semi-final with Athletic Bilbao, Amorim remarked, “I played them in pre-season with Sporting, so I know a little bit [about them] but it’s a different moment.”
“We know that they are really technical and they have two wingers who are really good. But we will have time to assess all the characteristics of the opponent and we need to focus a lot on what we need to do until that game. If you look at the team, especially in some moments at the end of the second half, the team was really tired and you can feel it with some players.
“I felt Bruno Fernandes today played a little bit tired, so I need to be careful with Bruno in the game before and the game between the next two. I will try to do that. I will not promise but I will try.”
United are back in action on Sunday when they host Wolves at Molineux. Kick-off is at 14:00 BST.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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