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Match Preview for Lyon v Manchester United
No-one at Manchester United needs reminding of how important the Europa League has become. It represents United’s only chance of playing European football next season and, in particular, a route into the Champions League that would not only bring financial rewards but also improve the calibre of player the club can hope to attract in the summer.
Unfortunately for United, they will have to surpass their efforts so far this season if they want to lift the trophy in Bilbao on May 21.
The competition remains full of highly competent teams, none more so than Lyon, who they face in France tomorrow night.
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Paulo Fonseca’s side have won eight of their last 10 games in all competitions and appear to be running into form at the right time. They have climbed to fifth in Ligue 1 and remain firmly in the hunt for a place in next season’s Champions League via their league position.
Fonseca was appointed at the end of January following a short stint at AC Milan and has been key to their resurgence despite being handed a nine-month touchline ban after an altercation with referee Benoit Millot during the game with Brest on March 2.
His sanction does not carry over into UEFA competitions, however, so he will be able to direct operations from close quarters tomorrow night.
United have suffered from a different kind of turbulence over recent months following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, the appointment of Ruben Amorim and a series of off-field PR disasters.
They have won just three of their last 10 games in all competitions – and two of those came against Premier League strugglers Ipswich Town and Leicester City. The other was a resounding 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad that propelled them into the quarter-finals.
Team News for Lyon v Manchester United
Lyon suffered a major blow at the weekend with winger Ernest Nuamah rupturing an ACL against Lille.
Former United midfielder Nemanja Matic is likely to start in midfield.
United could have Kobbie Mainoo available after he joined the open part of the training session this morning.
The England midfielder has not played since the game against Leicester on February 7 but is likely to be on the plane to France this afternoon.
Luke Shaw was on the bench for the drab 0-0 draw with Manchester City on Sunday and could feature in some capacity at the Groupama Stadium.
Matthijs de Ligt missed the City game and did not train this morning.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 9, 2025
Predicted line-ups for Lyon v Manchester United
Lyon: Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Tessmann, Matic; Cherki, Tolisso, Almada; Lacazette
Manchester United: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
How to watch Lyon v Manchester United: TV and online stream
Lyon v Manchester United kicks off at 8pm UK time tomorrow night. It is being shown on TNT Sports 1 with the coverage starting at 7pm.
The game can be streamed on the Discovery+ app.
Stats for Lyon v Manchester United
- There have been three or more goals scored in each of Lyon’s last six home games
- Lyon have scored before half-time in each of their last four home games
- There have been exactly two goals in five of Manchester United’s 1o Europa League games this season
Prediction for Lyon v Manchester United
Lyon are in good form and having Fonseca back on the bench will undoubtedly help them further.
United remain a work in progress and it remains difficult to see where the goals will come from if Bruno Fernandes is not at his sparkling best.
We fancy Lyon to edge it and set up an absorbing second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Prediction: Lyon 2-1 Manchester United
