Manchester United’s injured striker Joshua Zirkzee took aim at the fans who left Old Trafford before witnessing the club’s dramatic turnaround against Lyon on a record-breaking European night.
With the Europa League quarter-final all square after a 2-2 draw in France last week, United took a 2-0 first-half lead in front of a rapturous home crowd on Thursday. Yet, Ruben Amorim’s side imploded thereafter, conceding twice to force extra-time before shipping two more goals even after Lyon were reduced to ten players.
Bruno Fernandes’ 114th-minute penalty reduced the deficit to a single goal but United were still heading out of the competition as the match ticked into the final minute of extra time. As Zirkzee forcefully pointed out on social media, numerous United fans missed the unprecedented sight of Kobbie Mainoo’s last-gasp equaliser followed up by Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time winner.
Never before had a team ever scored two goals in or beyond the 120th of a match in a major European competition, according to Opta.
🚨 – Joshua Zirkzee on Instagram:
“To all the fans who left when we were down, have a listen to this.’
GOOSEBUMPS. 😍❤️pic.twitter.com/NpGlRDvTo7
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) April 17, 2025
A season-ending injury forced Zirkzee to watch the chaos unfold from the rapidly emptying stands. The Dutch forward took to Instagram in the aftermath of the mayhem, posting a video of the jubilant supporters who did stick around beneath the caption: “To all the fans who left when we were down, have a listen to this.”
Amorim also hailed the atmosphere. “The sounds of the stadium was the best ever,” United’s head coach gushed. “Some people collect shirts, scarves, but I want to keep that sound, it’s the best sound in the world.
“I feel for the people who had to leave at 4-2 because of the traffic, they will be gutted. We know we are underperforming and deserve all the critics, but we have time to make something special of this season.”
United have been paired with Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-finals. Amorim’s side travel to Bilbao – which will also host the competition’s final – on Thursday 1 May before hosting the La Liga outfit at Old Trafford one week later.
