Manchester United’s greatest European comebacks after stunning Lyon success | OneFootball

Wow. What a night. Manchester United are into the Europa League semi-finals after a barely believable win against Lyon.

Seemingly dead and buried in extra time, Ruben Amorim’s side mounted an astonishing comeback to beat the French side at Old Trafford. It’s the latest chapter in a long history of European comebacks and we’ve decided to celebrate some of the club’s finest.

Manchester United 3-0 Barcelona (1983/84)

Barcelona took control of the first-ever European meeting between the teams, with a 2-0 win at the Camp Nou giving the Catalans a healthy lead to protect. With a side containing the likes of Diego Maradona and Bernd Schuster, it looked like an almighty task to turn around the European Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final second leg.

At a feverish Old Trafford, Bryan Robson delivered on a pre-game pledge to do just that. A diving header halved the deficit before half-time before United struck twice quickly to stun the Spaniards. Robson got his second after an error from Barcelona goalkeeper Javier Urruticoechea before Frank Stapleton slammed in the winner to complete the comeback.

Juventus 2-3 Manchester United (1998/99)

Manchester United’s run to treble success in 1998/99 was littered with monumental moments and the club’s turnaround in Turin was among the most memorable.

Juventus were targeting a fourth consecutive appearance in the Champions League final and took control of the semi-final tie. After a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, Juventus scored twice inside the opening 11 minutes of the return through Filippo Inzaghi’s brace.

Unmoved, United hit back. Inspired by Roy Keane – whose booking in the game meant that he would miss the final – the Red Devils dug deep. Keane headed home from David Beckham’s corner before Dwight Yorke’s equaliser put the visitors ahead on away goals before half-time. As Juventus searched for a needed goal, Andy Cole clinched it for United with a third on the break seven minutes from time.

Iconic Performances: Roy Keane’s superhuman display v Juventus

Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich (1998/99)

The most dramatic conclusion to a Champions League final – ever.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s bid to claim an elusive European title – and treble success – appeared to be unravelling as Bayern Munich dominated the decider in 1999. Mario Basler’s free-kick fired the German giants ahead and Bayern led until the final seconds.

Off the bench, an injury-time equaliser from Teddy Sheringham saved the Red Devils, though few in a red shirt were gearing up for extra time.

Just seconds later, Sheringham’s header was met by the outstretched boot of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to win it for United. Two injury-time goals from substitutes had snatched victory – and club football’s biggest trophy – from the jaws of defeat.

Paris Saint-Germain 1-3 Manchester United (2018/19)

Manchester United made history in 2018/19 after becoming the first team in European Cup/Champions League history to progress after losing by two or more goals at home in the first leg of a tie.

Paris Saint-Germain had dominated the first meeting to run out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford but crashed out after a comeback at the Parc des Princes.

Romelu Lukaku scored for the visitors after just two minutes but PSG equalised on the night through Juan Bernat. Lukaku’s second set up a tense finish, as the Belgian capitalised on Gianluigi Buffon’s mistake to turn in.

Then, in the 94th minute, drama. Diogo Dalot’s shot hit Presnel Kimpembe on the arm and a penalty was awarded by VAR. Marcus Rashford stepped up to emphatically convert and seal history-making progress for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Manchester United 5-4 Lyon (2024/25)

Has there ever been a night like this at Old Trafford? The stats suggest not.

Never before has a European tie seen five goals scored in extra time. Just once before had Manchester United won 5-4 in a game – and not for 67 years.

After blowing a two-goal lead against Lyon, the Red Devils found themselves trailing 4-2 in extra time to the French side with just six minutes to go. Bruno Fernandes pulled one back from the penalty spot before a sensational finish saw the home side snatch the win.

Kobbie Mainoo’s magic individual effort levelled in the 120th minute to seemingly set the stage for penalties.

Or so we thought.

Seconds later, Harry Maguire made it 5-4 with a dramatic winner as Old Trafford erupted.

United are the first team in history to score two goals in the 120th minute of a major European match. The spirit of Fergie Time lives on.

Read – Amorim says Old Trafford roar ‘the best sound in the world’

See more – Amorim inspired by 1999 after Man United comeback against Lyon

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