‘Build him a statue’ – Man Utd fans stunned as they realise £70m ‘flop’ single-handedly saved the day in Lyon clash
IN all the chaos of Manchester United’s thrilling 7-6 aggregate victory over Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals, one star was initially overlooked for his huge role in the comeback.
Bruno Fernandes spearheaded the fightback with a perfect penalty before Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire scored injury-time goals in extra time to seal a 5-4 win on the night and send Old Trafford into meltdown.
However, one star played an overlooked part in all three goals, Casemiro.
After a strong start to his Man Utd career, the £70million Brazilian midfielder has rightly been criticised for many of his displays over the past two seasons, often looking leggy and making some high-profile errors to give away goals.
But against Lyon, the 33-year-old showed off his class and guts by having a hand in all three of the Red Devils’ extra-time goals.
Casemiro was firstly involved with the score at 4-2 to Lyon when he found his way into the box and was all set to score before he was fouled for the penalty, which Fernandes then duly converted.
The former Real Madrid midfielder was then involved again as the ball was played into him on the edge of the box before he laid off a pass to Mainoo.
The academy graduate, who turns 20 this weekend, then produced a deft touch to move inside his marker before curling a shot into the bottom-right corner and past goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
And mere seconds after the restart, Casemiro picked up the ball in the left half-space, turned and started dribbling towards goal.
He then lifted a perfectly weighted cross to the far post where Maguire had peeled away from his marker, which saw the centre-half nod home the winner.
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As well as his assists for the three late goals, Casemiro also had an excellent game in his less glamorous duties.
He won the most duels (nine) and created the most chances out of any Man Utd player against Lyon, as well as racking up three tackles, winning possession seven times and making eight clearances.
Following the thrilling clash, fans highlighted Casemiro’s efforts during the emotionally draining 120 minutes of action.
Taking to social media, one fan said: “Build Casemiro a statue, I didn’t even realise he assisted all three late goals.”
A second said: “Two assists and a penalty won all in extra time. Casemiro, ladies and gentlemen.”
A third added: “Never doubt the goat.”
Another said: “Man United really did what we wanted to see from Real Madrid yesterday. Casemiro two assists in the Remontada, he still got the Real Madrid clutch DNA.”
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A fifth said: “Uncle saw Rice against Real Madrid & wanted to remind everyone that the Godfather is still around.”
A sixth said: “Genuinely thought I was watching 2017 Casemiro in the UCL tonight. That was a monumental performance from him, 120 mins of just excellence and then ends it with two assists and a penalty won in seven minutes?! Genuinely, wow.”
Casemiro’s heroics to get Man Utd to the semi-finals will see him return to Spain to face a familiar foe in Athletic Bilbao, who defeated Rangers 2-0 on aggregate in their own quarter-final.
However, he and his team-mates will be fighting against history, with Man Utd having not beaten the Spanish outfit since the Busby Babes graced the Old Trafford turf in 1957.
Man Utd have played the Basque outfit four times overall, losing their most recent two encounters in 2012 under Sir Alex Ferguson.
In general, they have a poor record against Spanish opposition, with only 23 wins from a total of 76 games – a win rate of just 30.26 per cent.
The semi-final clashes will take place on May 1 and May 8, with the latter fixture once again coming at Old Trafford.
Man Utd ratings vs Lyon
MANCHESTER UNITED scored three goals in seven unbelievable minutes to beat Lyon in one of the all-time great nights at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils looked to be putting in one of their best displays since Ruben Amorim took over as they raced into a 2-0 lead.
But after conceding one goal, they let the ground slip from under them, quickly giving away another to allow Lyon to take the game to extra time.
Not even a red card for Corentin Tolisso could get United out of their slump as the French side completely dominated most of the additional 30 minutes.
Rayan Cherki and an Alexandre Lacazette penalty meant the visitors looked home and hosed before Casemiro was fouled and Bruno Fernandes hit home from the spot.
Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire then both netted in stoppage time of extra time to secure a scarcely believable win.