Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has revealed that replays of the club’s remarkable comeback against Bayern Munich in 1999, inspired their stunning 5-4 win over Olympique Lyon on Thursday.
After a 2-2 first leg result in France last week, both sides headed into the winner-takes-all affair at Old Trafford, to determine who goes through to the semifinals of the Europa League.
The Red Devils looked to be on a comfortable ride with a 2-0 lead at halftime before the French side battled back with two goals in the space of seven minutes, to drag the tie into extra-time.
Ryan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette then scored in first half of extra-time to put 10-man Lyon ahead, before United completed a miraculous comeback started by a Bruno Fernandes spotkick, before goals from Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire sparked chaotic scenes at Old Trafford.
“It was hard and I was watching again, 1999, the commentary [vs Bayern Munich], to have some inspiration for this moment”, Amorim said after the match, making reference to the club’s late comeback win over the German side in the 1999 UCL final.
“It was a great night. I think the team was tired and you feel it during the game and then 2-2 with one more player. It changed everything and you think it’s over but here, it’s never over.
I felt that here everything is possible and then you feel the environment and then after the 4-3, the penalty from Bruno, you feel like we can change the game.”
The stunning comeback sealed a 7-6 aggregate victory for Manchester United, who will now go against Spanish Laliga side Athletic Bilbao in the last four.
It also keeps their dream of a return to Champions League football alive after an underwhelming league campaign where they are currently 14th, with six games remaining.
“When you saw the goals of Kobbie and Maguire, the sound of the stadium was the best sound ever. You want to keep that.
I just want to keep that sound because it’s the best sound and I look at the fans and they are crazy. I feel sorry for the people that had to leave at the 2-4 because of the traffic”, Amorim added.
Manchester United are next in action in the English Premier League when they host Wolves on Sunday, hoping to build on their Europa League success.
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