Harry Maguire, take a bow.
The much-maligned Manchester United defender capped off the most remarkable turnarounds as the Red Devils scored three times in the space of seven minutes to knock a ten-man Lyon out of the Europa League.
Maguire’s header in the 121st minute ensured United beat Lyon 5-4 in the second leg of their Champions League tie and secured a 7-6 win on aggregate.
It capped off a frenetic period of extra time in which a staggering five goals were scored, the first time it had happened in a major European game.
Manuel Ugarte and Diego Dalot’s first-half strikes gave United a two-goal buffer.
But the deficit was gone in the space of six minutes midway through the second half via Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico.
Lyon were dealt what initially seemed like a crippling blow just before full-time when goalscorer Tolisso was given a second yellow card after he knocked over Leny Yoro.
Despite the disadvantage, Lyon took the lead for the first time in the second leg when Rayan Cherki swept home from the edge of the box with a sweet left-footed finish.
United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who wildly celebrated Ugarte’s opener in front of Lyon’s away supporters, could only watch as Cherki’s effort nestled into the bottom right corner.
Alexandre Lacazette doubled Lyon’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 108th minute after Malick Fofana was bundled over in the area by Luke Shaw.
But just when it looked like Lyon appeared to be in cruise control, United earned a penalty of their own when Casemiro was fouled by Thiago Almada.
Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes made no mistake from the spot to kickstart United’s comeback in the 114th minute.
United continued to pour forward following Fernandes’ goal and it paid off when Kobbie Mainoo, who played as a makeshift striker, showed remarkable composure to open his body up and curl home a right-footed effort.
It appeared as if Mainoo’s strike ensured the contest would go to a penalty shoot-out.
Yet there would be one dramatic final twist via Maguire’s forehead to spark absolute delirium at Old Trafford.
Speaking after the contest, a relieved Maguire was immensely proud of his side as they completed an ‘unbelievable’ comeback.
“Obviously it is an incredible game,” Maguire told TNT Sports.
“We made really hard work of it. Two-nil up at half-time.
“We had chances to score then and they scored out of nothing. They have great forwards, they play good football.
“We dug in and to come back like that is unbelievable.
“I felt we were going to get chances to get back into it.
“When I saw it hit the back of the net, it was just amazing.”
Amorim added: “I was watching the 1999 [Treble] documentary to have some inspiration for these moments. It was a great night, the team were tired, 4-2 with one more player, we think it’s over, but here it’s never over,” Amorim said after the game.
“Here everything is possible, you feel the environment. At 4-3, after the Bruno Fernandes penalty, we felt we could change the game.”
United will play Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals after they beat Rangers 2-0 in the second leg to win their tie by the same scoreline.
The miracle in Manchester also means the Red Devils are only three games away from returning to the bright lights of the Champions League.
Given Amorim’s side sit 19 points off of fifth-placed Manchester City in the Premier League with six games remaining, they mathematically cannot qualify for the Champions League via the league.
It means their hopes are solely pinned on the Europa League, as the winner is guaranteed a spot in next season’s Champions League.
And don’t United desperately need it given the financial riches that come with appearing in Europe’s premier club competition.
Should United qualify for the Champions League next season, The Athletic claims the club stands to net a tidy £85.8million windfall.
United will travel to Bilbao for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on May 1.
The two sides will then contest the second leg on May 8 at Old Trafford.
