Ruben Amorim reveals he watched 1999 final for 'inspiration' before Manchester United's thrilling Europa League comeback against Lyon

ByTNT Sports

Published 18/04/2025 at 00:20 GMT+1

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim used the club's 1999 European final comeback against Bayern Munich as inspiration for his side's game against Lyon on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals. Goalscorers Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire celebrated their epic 5-4 win, but conceded that they should not have let the match slip, given they were 2-0 up at half-time at Old Trafford.

Highlights: Maguire the hero as Man Utd beat Lyon in all-time classic

Video credit: TNT Sports

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said he had watched the famous 1999 UEFA Champions League final for "inspiration" as he discussed the wild 5-4 win over Lyon.

United were 4-2 down in extra-time against a 10-man Lyon side, having led 2-0 at half-time at Old Trafford.

However, Amorim’s side put on another famous European night as Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty on 114 minutes before Kobbie Mainoo levelled on 120 minutes, leading up to an astonishing 121st-minute winner for Harry Maguire.

Europa League

Postecoglou acknowledges 'imposter syndrome' but aims to 'destroy' narrative around Spurs

2 hours ago

Speaking to TNT Sports, Amorim discussed the match, saying: "It was fun. I was watching the 1999 [game], the commentary. To have some inspiration for this moment."

In that 1999 final, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both struck in injury time as United stunned Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou.

"It was a great night. I think the team was tired, and you feel it during the game. 4-2, even with one more player, you think it's over. But here it's never over," continued Amorim.

"I felt that here, everything is possible. You feel the environment, then after the 4-3, the penalty from Bruno, you feel that you can change the game."

Without Joshua Zirkzee, Amorim turned to defender Maguire to lead the line, and he explained the decision was because of the player’s heading ability.

He added: "We tried to put Harry Maguire, because he's the only guy who can head, and then Kobbie Mainoo has a lack of pace at the moment because of his injury... but he's really good in short spaces and can do that kind of goal. Sometimes it works."

Asked to watch back the dramatic goals, Amorim said that the cheers from the United fans are "the best sound in the world."

'That's what this stadium does'

Speaking immediately after the win, both Maguire and Mainoo celebrated the unlikely achievement, but conceded they should not have let the match slip in the first place.

Maguire said: "It's an incredible game. We made really hard work of it, I must say. At half-time, we were 2-0 up, we had full control. Even in the second half, we had chances to score the third, and then they scored out of nowhere, a bit of a pinball goal.

"Then we were on the back foot, and they managed to score the equaliser. To go 4-2 down against 10 men in extra time is nowhere near good enough. We opened ourselves up too much."

Man Utd heroes Mainoo and Maguire reflect on ‘amazing comeback'

Video credit: TNT Sports

He continued: "We dug in, and we showed great spirit, and that's what this stadium does. To come back like that, it’s an incredible performance from everyone in the final minutes.

"As soon as we got the fourth, I felt there was going to be another chance, and obviously it fell to me. Thankfully, I put it in the back of the net, and it was an amazing feeling."

Mainoo agreed with his team-mate, saying that it was "an amazing comeback".

"We put ourselves in that position," he said. "But when I came on, I was just trying to bring energy and contribute to the team.

"When the ball drops in there, a yard feels like a mile, so you’ve just gotta stay as calm as you can and slot it, and that’s what I did."

Watch and stream Premier League and UEFA Champions League football live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Premier League