PLAYER RATINGS | Lyon 2-2 Manchester United: Dramatic Rayan Cherki equaliser leaves everything to play for at Old Trafford | OneFootball

Lyon managed to equalise right at the death against Manchester United thanks to Rayan Cherki’s deft chip to give Les Gones a chance to head to Old Trafford next week on level terms (2-2).THE MATCHAfter all the big talk during the build-up to the match it was finally time to get underway at the Groupama Stadium as Premier League side Manchester United came to town in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals. The opening periods of the game were tentative from both sides, as Ruben Amorim and Paulo Fonseca told both their respective sides to press high and try and stave the other off the ball. Les Gones held more possession, but United came with some half chances towards the 20-minute mark, with Fernandes blasting over the bar and Casimiro trying an elaborate overhead kick.

But OL had the perfect response when Thiago Almada floated in a wicked ball from a freekick which seemingly bounced in front of United keeper Onana after Moussa Niakhaté’s attempt to flick the header goal-wards (24′). The Argentine grabbed his first goal in his first Europa League appearance for Les Gones – yet the English team would get right back into the game just before the end of the first half. A lack of focus just before the whistle allowed Manuel Ugarte to fire a shot from range which was diverted with a downward header from Leny Yoro (45+4′).

Alexandre Lacazette had to make his entry in the second half after an injury for Paul Akouoko, and he almost made an instant impact when he volleyed Georges Mikautadze’s cross just over Onana’s bar. Les Gones kept pushing, and would end up creating a string of chances with Lacazette and Tolisso at the centre of a lot of the action. Tolisso had a perfect chance to get ahead, combining wonderfully with Lacazette, shifting his body through on goal to create the space to shoot – but he couldn’t test the Manchester United goalkeeper. Rayan Cherki proceeded to pop up in the box with a great opportunity on the edge of the box, but his strike was blasted over the top of the bar.

Les Gones would regret the missed chances. United managed to snatch the ball off the Lyon defence, and Bruno Fernandes whipped in a loverly ball in towards substitute Joshua Zirkzee, who simply nodded the away side into a late lead to stun the Groupama Stadium.But then in a turn of late drama, Rayan Cherki would manage to level the game up right at the death of added time. Georges Mikautadze’s low shot stung the palms of Onana – who made his second fatal error of the game – and Cherki simply chipped the Cameroonian international to put OL back on level terms. A calm finish from the Frenchman which could change everything going into the return leg at Old Trafford next week.But then in a turn of late drama, Rayan Cherki would manage to level the game up right at the death of added time. Georges Mikautadze’s low shot stung the palms of Onana – who made his second fatal error of the game – and Cherki simply chipped the Cameroonian international to put OL back on level terms. A calm finish from the Frenchman which could change everything going into the return leg at Old Trafford next week…OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS PLAYER RATINGS

Lucas Perri – 5

Nicolas Tagliafico – 5

Moussa Niakhaté – 6

Clinton Mata – 5

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 5

Jordan Veretout – 5

Paul Akouokou – 5

Corentin Tolisso – 5

Thiago Almada – 6

Rayan Cherki – 7

Georges Mikautdaze – 5SELECTED MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGSAndré Onana – 3 Leny Yoro – 6GFFN | George Boxall