Manchester United have little to savour at this point in the 2024/25 season except their European journey, which faces its toughest test yet with a Europa League quarterfinal matchup against Lyon.
The tie begins with the first leg in France on Thursday, as the Red Devils hope to continue England’s push in all three European competitions.
While their Premier League form has been rocky the whole way through, Man United have stepped up their level in Europe this season, unbeaten through 10 matches thus far. They’ve been best at Old Trafford, where they’ve won four of five, but they have remained steadfast on the road as well with three draws and two victories.
The Red Devils will also get a few players returning from injury in the near future, including one young player back for this match.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
Lyon vs. Man United lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Sitting fifth in the Ligue 1 table, Lyon are in good squad shape for it being this late in the season, with only two absences to work around. Young Kent academy product Malick Fofana is out with a knee sprain, while fellow youngster Ernest Nuamah is recovering from a torn ACL. Otherwise, this squad is fully fit.
Former Man United midfielder Nemanja Matic will play against his old club, likely to start alongside USMNT international Tanner Tessmann, who has grown into a regular starter since joining from Serie A side Venezia.
Other former Premier League players that fans will recognize in the lineup include ex-Arsenal duo Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alexandre Lacazette. The former has established himself as a regular starter, while the latter has gone in and out of the lineup as he looks to keep himself fully fit on an everyday basis at 33 years of age.
Lyon predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Perri (GK) — Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Abner — Tesmann, Matic — Cherki, Tolisso, Almada — Lacazette.
Injured: Fofana (knee), Nuamah (ACL).
Suspended: None.
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Manchester United will have a number of players on their way back from injury over the next few weeks. The one set to return soon is Kobbie Mainoo, who has made it back to training and is part of the United traveling squad for the match.
Another youngster on his way back soon is Ayden Heaven but the former Arsenal teenager did not travel. Matthijs de Ligt missed the Manchester derby with a knock and is still not with the side for this match, and the same goes for Johnny Evans.
Further weakening the squad at the back is the season-long absence of Lisandro Martinez with a torn ACL, while Amad Diallo is also down until the summer.
Man United predicted XI (3-4-3, right to left): Onana (GK) — Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro — Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu — Fernandes, Hojlund, Garnacho.
Injured: Heaven (leg), de Ligt (knock), Evans (knock), L. Martinez (ACL), Diallo (ankle).
Suspended: None.
Lyon vs. Man United live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Europa League quarterfinal first leg across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Thu, Apr. 10 | 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT | TUDN, UniMas | Fubo USA, Paramount+, ViX |
| Canada | Thu, Apr. 10 | 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT | — | DAZN |
| UK | Thu, Apr. 10 | 8 p.m. BST | TNT Sports 1 | discovery+ |
| Australia | Fri, Apr. 11 | 7 a.m. AEST | — | Stan Sport |
| India | Fri, Apr. 11 | 1:30 a.m. IST | Sony TEN 2 | Sony LIV, JioTV |
