In the Europa League quarterfinal, Man United defeated Lyon 5-4 at Old Trafford to win 7-6 overall. United led 2-0 but were 4-2 down midway through extra time. Harry Maguire completed an incredible comeback. Ruben Amorim says that watching back footage of Manchester United's famous 1999 Champions League final win prior to the Europa League quarterfinal second leg inspired him to never give up on a Manchester United comeback against Lyon. 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.
Surprisingly, this occurred after a massive collapse, in which United surrendered a two-goal advantage to a Lyon team that was down to 10 players for two of its four goals following the harsh dismissal of Corentin Tolisso. However, United found a way, just as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham did in 1999 against Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp. "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. You might think it's over at 4-2, but here it never is. Here everything is possible."
Amorim added: "This is one type of moment that can change a lot of things. Sometimes we just look at the tactical and physical aspect. But these moments can change a lot in the players' minds."
Amorim: All focus on Europa League now
Amorim has endured a dismal time at Old Trafford since being appointed mid-season from Sporting, but he is hoping this moment can prove to be a catalyst to salvage something from the campaign.
The United boss says the Premier League, in which his side are 14th with six games to go, will now take a backseat with all attentions on the Europa League and semi-final opponents Athletic Club.
"We need to be really focused on the Europa League and take a risk with the kids in the league. Fans have to understand that we have to focus on the Europa League," said Amorim.
He responded, "Yes, you can see it in the stadium," when asked if United are capable of winning the Europa League. We need luck with injuries. It is going to be tough.
"It is a special moment. We know we are underperforming and deserve all the critics. But we still have time to make something special of this season."
Before Bruno Fernandes' 114th-minute penalty started the comeback, some fans had already left the stadium; however, others returned to their seats just in time to see Mainoo and Maguire score last-gasp goals. "I feel for the people that had to leave when it was 4-2 [to Lyon] because of the traffic. They'll be devastated!" Amorim added "The sound in the stadium for Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire's goals was the best sound I have ever [heard].
"A lot of people want to keep shirts, I just want to keep that sound. It has the world's best sound. Where do you rank that? It is one of the most astonishing matches. United led by two but were two behind with hope all but extinguished before a hat-trick of late goals completed an Old Trafford comeback befitting of the best times at this great club.
United displayed an evocative tifo in front of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand before kick-off with their five captains to have lifted a European trophy upon it. The words on that tifo? Never. Gonna. Stop. The tales they tell are a part of United's folklore. Add this to the tales to be passed down the generations. This is not 1999, not the Camp Nou, not even the Champions League. But even that win was from only one down. This was the first game in major European football history to feature five goals in extra-time.
The finale was stirring, all that will, and should, be remembered. But Lyon scored two goals, so there were obviously ups and downs as well. How did United lose control of the game midway through normal time? And then fall behind against 10?
It was an exercise in self-destruction at that point, supporters watching in a different kind of disbelief at the capitulation they were witnessing. But then came the twist. United continued. The pressure changed suddenly. Key players showed their mettle.
Casemiro won a penalty and set up the next two. The teenage Mainoo, with a swivel of those hips, showed that he continues to have a penchant for the big moments. And Maguire. It had to be Maguire. The most chaotic win of them all. Never. Gonna. Stop.
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