Man Utd 5-4 Lyon (agg 7-6): Ruben Amorim invokes spirit of 1999 after incredible Europa League comeback

17 April 2025, 17:09 | Updated: 18 April 2025, 18:20

Ruben Amorim says he never lost hope in a Manchester United comeback against Lyon after being inspired by watching back footage of the famous 1999 Champions League final win ahead of the Europa League quarter-final second leg.

United produced a turnaround to rival any other in the club's history in extra-time against Lyon, overturning a two-goal deficit within the space of six extra-time minutes, the last two goals by Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire coming in the 120th and 121st minute.

More remarkably, this followed an almighty capitulation, which saw United throw away a two-goal lead to a Lyon side that were down to 10 players for two of their four goals after the harsh dismissal of Corentin Tolisso.

But somehow, just as Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did against Bayern Munich in the Nou Camp in 1999, United found a way.

"I was watching the 99 documentary for inspiration," Amorim told TNT Sports, referring to a documentary about United's famous Champions League final comeback. "The team were tired. At 4-2, you think it is over, but here it is never over. Here everything is possible."

• Man Utd 5-4 Lyon (agg 7-6) - Match report
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• Europa League quarter-final results
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