A stoppage-time equaliser from Lyon's Rayan Cherki denied the Red Devils a hard-fought victory, leaving both teams with everything to play for in the return leg at Old Trafford.

United goalkeeper Andre Onana endured a tough night, with two errors proving costly. First, he failed to keep out Thiago Almada's free-kick, which handed Lyon the lead in the first half. Then, in the dying moments, he fumbled Georges Mikautadze's shot, allowing Cherki to pounce and level the score.

Despite the mistakes, manager Ruben Amorim stood by his keeper. "Mistakes can happen in football," Amorim said after the match. "We play so many games, and errors are part of it. Our focus is on the next leg."

The Red Devils had looked set to take a slender advantage back to Manchester after Joshua Zirkzee's towering header in the 87th minute put them 2-1 up. The goal came after Leny Yoro, the 19-year-old defender, had earlier equalised with his first for the club, diverting Manuel Ugarte's volley past Lyon's Lucas Perri. "It's a great feeling to score," Yoro said. "We know how tough these away games are, but we'll give everything at home to win."

Lyon, however, refused to bow out quietly. Cherki, brimming with confidence, issued a warning to United after his late heroics. "We were the better side," he said. "They fear us, and we're coming to Old Trafford to win."

His words echoed the pre-match tension, sparked by Lyon midfielder Nemanja Matic, who had called Onana "one of the worst" goalkeepers in United's history, prompting boos from the home crowd every time the Cameroonian touched the ball.

Amorim admitted the late goal left his squad deflated but saw positives in their resilience. "The dressing room was quiet, and that's good, it shows they care," he said. "A draw away in Europe is never easy. We're still unbeaten this season, and with our fans behind us, we'll play like we have an extra man."

The stakes are high for United, with Europa League success their only path to next season's Champions League, and the vital revenue it brings. Amorim remained pragmatic about their chances. "It's 50-50," he said. "Lyon are dangerous in transitions, so we need to be smart and play with heart at home."

Recent updates from United's camp underline their determination. Posts from the club's official X account highlighted Zirkzee's impact off the bench, with one describing his goal as "a moment of pure power."

Amorim also praised the Dutch striker's contribution, noting, "Josh did a fantastic job when he came on. He's growing into his role." Meanwhile, Yoro's emergence has sparked excitement, with Amorim adding, "Leny's confidence is building. He's a top player, and we're seeing his quality."

For Lyon, Cherki's bold words were backed by manager Paulo Fonseca, who took to X to rally supporters: "We showed our spirit tonight. The tie is alive, and we're ready for the fight." The stage is set for a pulsating second leg, with both teams believing they can seize the initiative.

United's unbeaten run in Europe now stretches to six games against Lyon (three wins, three draws), but Cherki's late dagger ensures the Red Devils can take nothing for granted. Old Trafford awaits, and the battle for a semi-final spot promises to be fierce.

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