Lyon v Man Utd early injury news with 6 out and 1 doubt after hosts suffer major ACL blow
Man United turn their focus to the Europa League this week as they head to France to take on Lyon
Manchester United resume their European campaign this week as they head to France to take on Ligue 1 side Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter final on Thursday night.
The Red Devils are still unbeaten in the Europa League after winning five and drawing three of their eight group phase games before beating Real Sociedad 5-2 over two legs in the round of 16. United drew 1-1 in Spain before picking up a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford in the second leg.
Lyon finished sixth in the league phase, three points behind United after winning four of their eight games, drawing three times and losing once. They eased through their round of 16 tie as they beat FCSB 7-1 over two legs.
United were handed an injury boost ahead of Thursday’s game with Kobbie Mainoo back on the bench in the 0-0 draw with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. Ruben Amorim is likely to slowly ease the midfielder back into action after he spent a number of months sidelined.
Lyon injury news
Lyon are set to be without two players for Thursday’s visit of United. Malick Fofana is ruled out after he suffered a knee injury while on international duty with Belgium. It is set to rule him out for three weeks which means he may return before the second leg at Old Trafford.
On Saturday, Lyon were handed a fresh injury blow after Ernest Nuamah lasted just seven minutes into a 2-1 win over Lille. He is out for the season after injuring his ACL, with Lyon confirming the blow in a statement on their website on Monday.
Lyon will have manager Paulo Fonseca on the touchline for both legs of the United game. The 52-year-old has been suspended by the LFP from “conducting his matchday duties” until the end of November after angrily confronting a referee during a Ligue 1 game against Brest. Given that the ban was issued by the French governing body, it does not carry over into UEFA competitions. In domestic games, he is not allowed on the touchline or to even enter the dressing room.
Man United injury news
As noted above, Mainoo is back fit again but is unlikely to be put in from the start. Matthijs de Ligt missed the 0-0 draw with City because of an injury he picked up against Nottingham Forest and he remains a doubt for the trip to Lyon.
Ayden Heaven is likely to remain out but he did post a positive injury update last week telling supporters he’d be back in action soon. Amad Diallo remains out but he is poised to return at some point in May where United will hope he can play a part in their Europa League campaign as they aim to navigate their way past Lyon. Jonny Evans and Lisandro Martinez are also still injured but Amorim does have Harry Maguire back.
The defender came off the bench against Forest and started in the heart of defence against City. Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui made up the back three.