United's incredible extra time treble resurrects Europa League bid
53:25 Share

We're sponsored for this episode of Talk of the Devils by Shopify. Now, when it comes to successful football teams, which, lest we forget, Man United used to be once upon a time, it's not just the players on the field who are responsible for results. It's the entire backroom staff and the infrastructure of the club. Hello, Ineos. And that's the same with business. When you think about companies like Skims or Allbirds, they are sailing through the roof.

Sure, you think about a great product, a cool brand and brilliant marketing. But often the overlooked secret is actually the businesses behind the business which makes buying and selling simple.

And for millions of businesses, that business is Shopify. Because nobody, nobody does selling better than Shopify. It's the home of the number one checkout on the planet and the not-so-secret secret with Shop Pay that boosts conversions up to 50%. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell where your customers are scrolling or strolling on the web, in your store, in their feed and everywhere in between.

Businesses that sell more sell on Shopify, so upgrade your business to get the same checkouts used by Skims and Allbirds. Sign up right now for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com slash reddevils, all in lowercase. Go to shopify.com slash reddevils to upgrade your selling today at shopify.com slash reddevils, R-E-D-D-E-V-I-L-S.

This athletic podcast is sponsored by Shopify. Now, when you think about companies like Skims or Allbirds, they are selling through the roof. Sure, you think about a great product, a cool brand, a brilliant marketing, but often the overlooked secret is actually the businesses behind the business, which makes buying and selling simple.

And for millions of businesses, that business is Shopify because nobody, nobody does selling better than Shopify. It's the home of the number one checkout on the planet and the not so secret secret with ShopPay, it boosts conversions by up to 50%. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell where your customers are scrolling or strolling on the web or in your store, in their feed and everywhere in between.

Businesses that sell, sell more on Shopify. So upgrade your business to get the same checkouts used by Skims and Allbirds. Sign up right now for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com slash theathletic, all in lowercase and with no spaces. Upgrade your selling today at shopify.com slash theathletic. That's shopify.com slash theathletic.

As you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM this season. We'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we'll have special offers for our listeners each week. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one-year subscription to The Athletic plus up to a $1,500 first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works.

Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code THEATHLETIC. Make your first deposit of at least $10, place your first bet on any game, and claim your voucher for a one-year subscription to The Athletic. See BetMGM.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers not available in D.C., Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Available in the U.S. Call 877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPE-NY 467-369 in New York. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP in Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 in Massachusetts, or text HOPE-NY 467-369 in New York.

1-800-BETS-OFF in Iowa, 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help in Michigan, 1-800-981-0023 in Puerto Rico. First bet offer for new customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Don't forget, if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code THEATHLETIC and you'll get a one-year subscription to The Athletic, plus up to a $1,500 first bet offer on your first wager. The Athletic FC Podcast Network.

So Lacazette versus Onana, little stutter step, clinical.

And they're so close to a semi-final now, Leon. They've come back from nowhere and they've scored four unanswered goals at Old Trafford. In from short, jumping was Casemiro. Maynou, Casemiro with a chance, he's got over it. But for him there's no penalty, Bruno Fernandes convinced it should be. There you go, he's making the decision. Here we go. A lifeline for Manchester United. Old Trafford holds its breath.

And Manchester United are backing him. And there's plenty of time left. There's going to be five minutes added on. Here's Casemiro. Look at it. Kobi Meynou takes his three. Oh, my God! Let's just break for a second to remember there might be penalties here. Here's Casemiro. Maguire! Into Maguire! Oh, my God! I told you! And Manchester United are heading to the semi-finals. Oh, my God!

This is Talk The Devils, the athletics podcast dedicated to Manchester United. It's nearly midnight, we're inside Old Trafford. Oh my goodness, what on earth have we just witnessed inside this great old ground? Manchester United 5-5. Who did they play? Lyon 4-5.

the most remarkable football game I think I've ever seen, certainly the most remarkable extra time I think I've ever seen.

There's two men alongside me, we've both got huge grins on their faces. I keep bursting into laughter, I just can't believe what I've just witnessed. Laurie and Andy are here, my goodness me. Laughter is the only response to that. What a ridiculous football club, what a ridiculous team, what a ridiculous football match. You can try and explain it, you can try and point to tactics and tweaks and substitutions, but at the end of the day that was football, that was sport, that was chaos, that was people dying.

going to the ends of their energies to try and make something happen and they did in the end I mean it looked brilliant to start then it looked bleak as hell at 4-2 down and you're thinking this podcast is going to be very difficult I was picturing what time we'd get home after talking about Manchester United going out of Europe but Andy it was never in doubt I told you I was confident after that first leg in France It's United innit I thought we were going out 10 minutes happened What told you that?

I booked and paid for my place in Bilbao at half nine. I've got the receipts, I've got the proof here. For the semi-final or the final? For the semi. Not that confident then? At 2-0, I'm like, right, I've got to Bilbao. Some of the airlines have been really cheeky, by the way, putting the prices right up. And then, oh, you just sink. And then you're not even surprised because we're terrible and we knew this was coming. And this is obvious it was going to happen because this team is the worst team ever. And then...

I thought Lyon deserved to win. Did you? When they were leading, 4-2, yeah, I thought they deserved to win. I thought the fans were very good. And then that's just a wild, wild extra time. I know we're smiling. I know we're buzzing off it. I know it's great. The season stays alive.

It was Bill Bower bust and we didn't go bust. And history will remember this as one of the great nights in Manchester United's history. Right up there. I know we've not won a trophy off the back of it. And it's just all sort of soaking in. I am stunned, mate. We can't really do a proper podcast after witnessing that tonight. You sort of need to at least sleep on it and dissect it the next day. But we want to share the moment with everyone because...

it's been a very very very tough season hasn't it it's been hard work being a Manchester United fan but that was anything but or was it well at the final whistle Terry Seaham comes across from his position on the terraces clambers into the stands and starts trying to

put together some show notes and then just goes sod it actually let's just do what United did let's just riff it let's just all play in different positions and try and force this podcast over the line like Harry Maguire did for that fifth goal it was absolute brilliant bedlam in the stands watching it and it was a privileged position because obviously I'm enjoying it as a fan but as a journalist I

Luckily, I wasn't having to write on the whistle. I mean, I feel for people that have had to, you know, the newspaper journalists like I used to do, write on the whistle match reports. Incredible skill to try and craft that into something that's readable. I can do that for tomorrow. But it was just a beautiful moment to kind of watch the bedlam in the stands. You've got basically...

you know there's fans in front of the directors box where Leon directors have been you know John Texter was there the owner and they've been very much celebrating going 4-2 up and then so you've got fans turning around to them you've got the players doing all sorts on the pitch Onana doing like jog off on his own you know into the box Maguire went and celebrated twice he had one massive celebration then when he realised the ref hadn't quite blown for the second to

to kick off he's had another celebration as well I think that was when he knew that the goal had definitely been given right okay okay I missed that that's how I read it because I did think at the moment did he push him did he push him I've got no recollection of half the things you're talking about honestly I can ask me anything about the game

and I reckon I can answer in pretty good detail even about their team up to like 90 minutes and then after that quite a lot happened after that I know it did but my head's gone that's basically what's happened you know I can tell you like Leon's formation I can tell you how impressed I was with Ryan Cherky who did well in the first half in the second half

there's a structure to our life until that extra time period. Do you know what you said about not making extensive notes? I have written down things not to forget because I thought that this podcast could actually descend into us just going over and over and over what happened. I want to start at the very end though. Harry Maguire up front. I mean, how United managed to do

They needed three goals in the final six minutes of extra time with no forward on the pitch. They didn't even have any wingers on the pitch. Bruno's about as close to a forward as they got. Well, this is it and I'm absolutely kicking myself. Yesterday, I had an opportunity to ask Harry Maguire a question. I asked him about Andre Onana and then in my mind, I thought, I should really ask him about potentially being required up front or in a set piece to score a goal because it was looking like, you know, going into this game, United might struggle to score goals. I mean, yeah, in the end, they've scored five. But,

What a moment for him. I mean, I loved at 4-4, he was absolutely chomping at the bit to get the game back going. He was like on the edge of the halfway line. He went early before the ref had blown and before they'd taken the kick. He was absolutely giving everything for this. And obviously he's been through a lot at United and that felt like a really huge moment for him. But yeah, what a moment. What was your question?

I have just asked him this, I've just spoken to him, but he's embargoed, so I can't even say what he said, but he was buzzing. Exclusive, thanks. Exclusive. Winning goal scorer happy with winning goal. I think Laurie's point about he has been through so much as a Manchester United player. I thought he won every first ball from corners in the first half. I thought he was one of Manchester United's best three or four players ever.

and congratulations to him that must be just such a buzz we hope that something can come from it don't worry about that yet no I know that's tomorrow's problem I know it is and I can see you being smart and bringing structure to this because our heads have totally gone and I'm going to try and be sensible now but I will say Harry Maguire is absolutely buzzing

It was a fantastic header as well, wasn't it? To hold the defender off, to steer the ball into the far corner, let's skip back a goal. I mean, I wasn't sure about the substitutions when Hoyland and Garnaccio were taken off, to be brutally honest, and get the negativity buzzer out.

but Kobi Mainu coming on and producing that moment, I don't even know if it worked with him in a false nine. I don't even care whether it worked with him in a false nine. Maybe that will be tomorrow's problem, actually, when you look at the games that United have got left and trying to prioritise the Europa League over the Premier League. But what a finish. We were all right and the obituaries really weren't. We liked the inquests. They're losing 4-2. They had it in the palm of their hands. He's taken Garnaccio off.

who was having a really good game I know that he missed that huge chance that would have made it 3-0 would have surely put this tie to bed and when you mentioned the fans earlier Andy sorry to go a bit off piste again here Ian but those Lyon fans at 2-0 down started lighting flares that's what turned it all chaotic they were fine until that point and they started lighting off these flares when they were 2-0 down yeah that's what turned the game yeah

But back to your question, Ian, Kobimeno coming on, I was equally dubious about it because he's done that role against Crystal Palace earlier this season. It didn't really work. It didn't feel like. The one thing I would say, and it actually then happened in the game, is that in those tight spaces, in the box, he can control it. He can take shots. He's very good at finishing. And I think Amarim probably thought, well, Hoyland is tired.

the running in behind isn't working as much anymore and he wasn't really getting the ball in those moments to score a goal was he? He was doing quite well linking up play but he wasn't like he was determined It's just that he's an actual striker but then Cobby Mayne who's had less time and scored a goal Well yeah but that was when Maguire ended up being up front he was back in his number 10 position by then wasn't he? Okay fair enough but I think the point was from

But Amarim's mind, and maybe this is why Eriksen came on for Garnaccio as well, is that Lyon with 10 men were going to defend deep and it was going to require players to pick passes through. Now, if that doesn't work, then people will definitely point fingers at Amarim because they're thinking, you've left your subs too late for a start maybe when United got tired and then you've made curious ones. But it worked. It's beautiful madness. So let's just enjoy it for what it is.

it worked and I think Ruben Amorin would have received a lot of criticism and with some justification as well for some of his substitutes, the lateness relinquishing a 2-0 lead it was chaos and we delight in the chaos and

It's been an absolutely brilliant night, but there's also a lot to worry about there. Tomorrow's problem, Andy. I know it's tomorrow's problem, but even in the first half, there's just such a brittle confidence. Tomorrow's problem. Fair enough. Bullseye and I'll ask me anything about tonight. The big flags before the game, the fans being up for it. You're right to point out the brittle confidence, because that is a hugely concerning aspect of being two goals up, cruising and that happening. And not being surprised about it.

Goals in quick succession again. Yeah. Goals in what? Quick succession. Thank you. You know, when the first one went in, I'm thinking, this is Sevilla all over again. Two goals in seven or eight minutes. Seven minutes later, Lyon score again. There's so many patterns to this. One of them was broken tonight. Manchester United scored early. I think Agarty scored after 11 minutes. You're right to mention Garnaccio. He ran his socks off all night. Lenny Oro...

had a good game but he made a couple of howlers there's still mistakes in him he's 18 I know he's 18 he's improving though isn't he he's 19 oh sorry he's turned 19 happy birthday Lenny he's nearly 20 soon well he's 19 until he's 20 that's how it works so he's 19 no no no 19 he's had a really good tie um

in both matches because I thought he had his best game in Lyon. Who else? I thought Casemiro had a good game. Casemiro at the end, my goodness me. He won the penalty, both assists for the two goals, the equaliser and the winner. And he came down in the corner where I was with my dad. I mean, I've never seen anything like it. He's the most experienced, the most decorated player on the pitch.

And he really should be running back to the centre circle when United equalise to get back in position to go and get the winner. And he just completely lost his mind. He was like a centimetre away from the fans in the corner, just screaming in the faces as loud as he possibly can. Just emotion and elation just poured out of him. And then obviously then he then ambles his way back. The guy could barely move, could he? He was absolutely knackered. And then when the winner went in, he just sort of collapsed. He was like a seal, basically.

- A seal? - Yeah, he's just on the floor, like just writhing around with this like weird look on his face. Kasim, every one of us had a bit of Kasim here in us tonight. - Yeah, football does crazy things to us, doesn't it? I'm left at some of the reactions

online when Manchester United were 4-2 down. We had a few emails that I won't read out. Yeah, but it'd be quite funny if we did and put the names to them. Some people left the game early as well. People near me left when Lacazette scored the penalty. Not many, but... A few. A few hundreds. It wasn't two people. They left, they'd had enough. Oh, ye of little faith.

Not that I thought that United were coming back into it. I mean, it's just such an important game. I thought Paulo Fonseca summed it up really well before the game. And he said it's a very important game for Lyon. But it's an absolutely vital game for Manchester United. And he's right. So much hinges on this competition. It's not just about tonight. It's about money as well. It's about trophy. It's about...

Bilbao it would make such a big difference if Manchester United can win this competition the potential opponents are now much more clearer Athletic Club came through against Rangers Bodo Glimt held on unbelievable it's unbelievable how have they won a penalty shootout at the Stadio Olimpico I know

The nerves that they must have had to be able to hold on to their nerves and after obviously conceding in the 93rd minute for it to go to extra time as well. It's one of the great stories in modern football and I've studied it

and they've not got a benefactor. Their success is starting to bring a little bit of envy in Norway because familiarity breeds contempt. One of their strengths is playing to their conditions on the plastic pitch. Manchester, I mean, they've done so well to get so far. Tottenham Hotspur are still in the competition. They worry me a bit because they've beaten United three times this season. So it's about time. I'm surprised they went through against Frankfurt, to be honest.

Yeah. Kept a clean sheet as well. I didn't think Tottenham could still do that. No. Sander and Romero were both playing, weren't they? Yeah. What the good at is going forward and what the bad at is defending. They concede a lot of goals. And if you see the way they invert the wingers and the full-backs, sorry, they need this competition as well, but not as much as Manchester United. I'm about to say that, though, aren't I?

How can you grow your business from idea to industry leader? Bring your vision to life with smart business buying tools and technology from Amazon Business. From fast, free shipping to in-depth buying insights and automated purchase approvals, we deliver everything you need to achieve your goals. It's not easy to stand out from the crowd. Simplify how you stock up to get ahead. Go to amazonbusiness.com for support.

The NBA playoffs are here and so is the Athletic NBA Daily. Need a fresh, fun take on last night's action? We've got every dunk, buzzer beater, and game-changing play covered.

Join Dave DeFore, Zena Keita, and S. Barahini Monday through Friday for fast recaps. And join me and Alex Spears Saturdays for Saturday Slammin' Jam with playoff trivia and some big-time vibes. All the playoff intel you need faster than your morning coffee. Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, wherever you pod, we're there.

Just to put an historical context to tonight, because it felt unprecedented. It felt ridiculous. It felt like bedlam, like you said before. It's only the second time in United's history they've ever won 5-4. Listeners, Ian's just picked up a pen to really make his point here, so continue.

The last time was in 1958 against Arsenal. It's the first time that a team has ever scored two goals in the 120th minute of a major European match. And it's also the first time that five goals have ever been scored in a major European game after extra time. Wow. That Arsenal game is a really famous one in the club's history because it was the game before Arsenal.

the last domestic game before Munich. I'm not surprised with the stats. Only Manchester United can do this, or you feel like only Manchester United can do it. Those stats say that only Manchester United can do it. Yeah, I mean, it was just a wild night, wasn't it? It just had absolutely everything, including some terrible howlers as well. How many goals have we seen tonight? And the tie? Because four in the first leg, wasn't there? I can't even count anymore. 13. Wow, wow.

Joe, someone else who I'd like to mention as well, Andrew Onana, because undoubtedly he's had a terrible week, hasn't he? The comments, however much you want to read into them before the first leg, the two mistakes in the first leg, then obviously being rested, dropped, however you want to say, rotated for the Newcastle game. There was a lot of pressure on him tonight. How do you think he coped?

He pulled off a very good save, didn't he? Down low to his right. I'm trying to remember who this shot was by. Almada, I think, maybe?

but he definitely called it on with the Lyon fans after the first goal. Not again, Andre. Did you not see this? Sorry. I mean, I didn't see it either. I only saw it from the replays, but yeah, he went over and was kind of smiling at them and giving it all that, but they were also giving him a lot. They were very much singing his name at 2-2, I think, you know, in a derogatory manner, I would imagine. I don't speak French. And...

But I think, you know, listen, his posts, I think, online, Onana energy or something like that, or the Onana attitude, this is kind of what you want. I think, ultimately, he is a guy that has got...

supreme confidence sometimes you might think that's misplaced confidence because errors are made but I suppose you do need that kind of mentality whatever because the pressure that you get under United is huge and just to Andy's point obviously it was you know

how United crumbled but they did come back they did show resilience in that way to then go and win the game and okay they've got a man extra so maybe it's all bets are off so the

you might as well go for it, what's there to lose? But I thought maybe Onana kind of encapsulates that. But I think even though he conceded four goals, it was actually probably a good night. He couldn't have done anything, I don't think, with any of the goals. It just dawned on me, actually, that United conceded two goals in extra time to 10 men. I had not actually computed that in my head. And the 10 men were dominating the game. That was a big worry for me. Not only are you playing against 10 men, but they're the better team.

Four minutes ago, as we were recording this podcast, I got a WhatsApp message from, I'd call this man, Anana's man. And the message just says, Anana in capital letters with a fist. Is that a fist pump? Yeah. So it's obviously buzzing. It's going to be buzzing. It's a good night for Anana because a week ago,

It was a really difficult situation and he did concede four. Nemanja Matic got a little bit of an applause when he warmed up, which I was slightly surprised at maybe. Well, I mean, Nemanja Matic took a picture with United staff members after the game in the first leg and posted that on Instagram, which I was a bit surprised by. That went down well. Yeah, I can imagine. So, yeah, got applause.

I suppose people in that moment aren't really thinking about his spat with Onana, although maybe they should have been. I don't know. I think from a United point of view, I probably wouldn't have applauded him. I would have tried to stick with the guy that's actually in the team. But I'm sure Onana wasn't paying any attention to that. You just hope that he can go on from this and make sure... Because he is a maverick, isn't he? He does things differently than how the orthodoxy suggests you should do it, even when it comes to

penalty shootouts. Weirdly, I don't know why I was doing this, I watched the Community Shield penalty shootout from the start of this season and I just remembered that he went and sort of did a kind of Matador-esque pointing to Erling Haaland for his penalty and just completely went the wrong way and I mean he went the wrong way tonight as well so you know you're sort of thinking maybe that's something that needs to be addressed because I was anticipating potentially penalties tonight I think that's maybe why I was watching it but you just hope that I mean listen there's two more matches for the semi-final

there's a final and hopefully there's a crowning moment for him because I think he obviously played against United in the Europa League final didn't he for Ajax and I believe that he went or he felt in that game that

He had fear, his players had fear, and he vowed after that match, and he lost obviously 2-0, to never have fear going into a game. So I think whatever happens in a game, whilst we might think, why has he not been affected by that? And he comes out and shows himself in a very imposing way. I think that's where that comes from. Let's talk about Bruno Fernandes, because his penalty was the 5,000th United goal at Old Trafford. I think that's what the club said. I've not been back and counted them all. But in terms of a pressure penalty...

What an important moment that was. It's probably, obviously, Mainu's goal and Maguire's goal are vital for United going through, clearly. But in terms of a moment to turn the night on its head and to take all the pressure, all the expectation, the disappointment of going down after being in front, everything we've talked about, about needing to be in Europe next season, the finances, the future of the club, the building of momentum for next year, all of that,

and that's what he does and if it's not perfect the keeper gets it. That moment gave us hope. It was a brilliant penalty. Imagine the nerves when you're doing something like that. Nerves of steel. Because the Lyon fans were just to his right. They were making a load of noise. There was one more thing Bruno did in the game. It was close to being one of the best goals I've ever seen. Oh, that volley. It was ten minutes before the first half. I know.

But Deleuze had a ball like 60, 70 yards forward and Bruno turned on it and volleyed it and it hit the crossbar because people will have seen that. But the technique and the vision that he showed...

He lost his footing as well. He had to still adjust whilst being basically mid-air. I was watching that thinking, you're just far too good for this team. If you want to go, I can just understand. And watching him in right-hand turkey, thinking, you're miles too good for the players around you on both sides. I thought Fofana did very well actually when he came on for them. But it was a good night for Bruno. You could see at times he was getting frustrated and giving up.

Giving advice out to the younger players, some of the younger substitutes. At one point I saw Harry Amass to get into a slightly different position, which is what you're going to do if you're a captain. He's a leader and gets paid an awful lot of money and he earned it tonight. He does, doesn't he? That's what he does, to be fair. We were absolutely inundated with messages from you, so thank you so much. It's incredible that you witness a moment

or a set of moments, an end of a game like that, and you want to share your thoughts with us, and you want to get involved and listen to the podcast, we don't take it for granted, so thank you. Just to share some of them, Prabhav, memorable European nights at Old Trafford, I'm pretty sure that one goes on the list, lads. Yeah, someone should do a podcast about memorable nights at Old Trafford, shouldn't they? Nathan, can we give a shout-out to Casimiro, coming up with both assists at the end, that lovely touch around the corner to Mainu, and then putting the ball right on Maguire's head.

Shout out to Chris, John and several others who sent angry, depressed emails at 4-2 down and had to follow up at full time. Nicketh, I don't think I've ever been happier to eat crow. I don't know what that means, but I'm presuming it's humble pie, possibly something, some variation of that.

I'm surprised the Stretford end didn't collapse. What a finish from Harry Maguire. That was Mark. I just can't do it anymore. This team is going to give me long-term health issues. That's Cole Angad from Texas. She had an image of his stress monitor, which I can tell you was high. Unbelievable. Just an absolutely incredible, crazy night at Old Trafford. And it all began...

With Atifo, it all began with pyrotechnics, it all began with supporters. I mean, from where I entered the ground, I've never seen queues like it, trying to get in early or earlier than usual. If only someone was shouting out about that, Andy Mitten. Did they respond...

Yes and no. People got in earlier, there was a good buzz beforehand. The noise and the energy was good at the start. The TRA flag in the Stretford end was decent, Stretford end was good. The big TIFO coming down from the Fergie stand. If people haven't seen it, what was on the TIFO? It was a massive...

You better explain what a Tifo is. Do you know what? I was going to say that because my dad was asking me this week, what's a Tifo, son? You should have blacked him and just said it's like a big snake or something like that. So he'd be like... It's a massive flag in it and it originates that whole culture from Italy. It had images of the five previous Manchester United European trophies with people holding up the captains and...

either side of that it was flanked by fireworks and it's not for everyone and I've heard the arguments coming back and forward that fan culture should come from fans but the club did it I thought it looked good Did the club do it? Yeah the club did it It wasn't fan led this time? No it wasn't fan led this time well the people at the club would argue with some conviction that they're fans and I know some of the people involved and I've seen them all over the world watching Manchester United so they absolutely are fans and it looked good and

the smoke hung in the air and then the game start.

I get frustrated when there's a lull because you're watching Lyon dominate possession and that's when you feel that the fans really need to inject something and didn't. It was flat, it was worryingly flat. It's horrible. I don't know what the solution is. I'm sort of thinking there's not enough young people in this stadium and you're looking at the away fans but away fans are always going to be more concentrated and more sort of louder and raucous and raffish and call it what you want.

But overall, yeah, I'm having it, but I always want more. It's hard though, isn't it? I think because people are so tense in the stadium. They're broken by the season as well, aren't they? They're broken by seeing things that they've seen tonight over and over again. I remember my dad when I was growing up and it would be tense moments in the stadium, there'd be silence then and he'd stand up and go...

♪ You and I, T-A-D ♪ And that was his coping mechanism for the nerves. So okay, that works for him, but for a lot of people, they're thinking, "Oh, please don't throw this away." And so it's difficult. And I think a lot of foreign fans,

they kind of just sing whatever's going on in the game. So it's almost like United fans are actually feeling it more. Yeah, and I think away from home it's different, isn't it? Manchester United fans away are completely different. And like you say, it's more concentrated. The guy behind me was moaning throughout a lot of the second half of that game. Why is nobody singing? Why is nobody singing? Yeah. Whilst not singing. Yeah, I can see the frustration. But then being more positive...

When United attack with the sort of spontaneity, that is the most beautiful sound. And there were a couple of turning points which flipped the atmosphere. So when Lyon went down to 10, I thought that was a harsh ending off, if I'm honest. Well, yeah, it was an injection of hope, that, wasn't it? But the crowd responded, come on! There's those primal screams, which, when Old Trafford is roaring, it's wonderful. And everyone does it...

in their own way so Laurie's talking about his dad and his coping mechanism people are superstitious people are from different cultures some people get upset some people walk out I put Tempe in a fountain in the Trafford Centre this morning and during the game I'm starting praying to my dad who wasn't even religious why am I praying to my dad?

You know, it's irrational, isn't it? And football just does these things to us. You can't control it. So if 10p got you that, what happens if you put a quid in next time? I'll do it. I'll do it before going to Basque Country. Put a pound in the... I only had a 10p coin. That's all I had. I could have put a tenner in. No, but that would have just floated on the top, wouldn't it? Lovely. Lovely. I'm glad you made a sound because if Carl was here, he'd be making all sorts of sounds. I can only imagine what sounds he'd be making. I hope you're listening to this, Carl, and you've got a huge grin on your face.

because yeah, we could have made all sorts of sounds, couldn't we, for that match tonight. Absolutely incredible. Hi, I'm Kristen Bell. Carvana makes car buying easy. Isn't that right, hun? Dax?

So it's Bilbao. Next.

a trip to Bilbao to face Athletic Club. We're going to do that thing where Andy tells us off for not calling them the correct name again. 1st of May away at the San Mames. San Mames, is that the correct pronunciation? Not going to tell me off for that. And then at home a week later on the 8th, Brentford away, sandwiched in between, Bournemouth away before the two ties as well. Who cares about Premier League fixtures, Laurie? Well,

Ruben Amarin is going to test the Premier League regulations around fielding weakened teams, isn't he? It seems so, because he's saying he's going to pit the kids, really. And he sort of elaborated a little bit on that in the post-match press conference as well. Why is that testing the rules? Well, you're supposed to pit your strongest team, aren't you? But, I mean, United could easily say, well, this is our strongest team for this particular match. I think it would be OK, but, you know, you are... I mean, after that...

I have no idea who's even able to play against Wolves at the weekend. Well, I mean, Bruno Fernandes played the full match again. You know, you're sort of thinking, is this finally the moment to give him a bit of a rest? And, you know, really, United, it's all about the Europa League, isn't it? I think Amarillo is now absolutely accepting that. And so, yeah, I think you're going to see a few debuts. Jadon Camerson was on the bench tonight. He's looked really good from what I've seen in the academy in that kind of right-back position. So you could see him. Dalot's played every minute.

it seems, so could he play a little bit there? Jack Morehouse was on the bench as well, obviously Harry Amass got on. Not Justin. Not Justin. Did you see that? I thought I got away with it for like, was it 10 minutes maybe? Anyway, if you're not, you know what I'm talking about, I suggested that Justin Morehouse, the comedian. I've been waiting for you to mention Jack Morehouse for about a week and a half. How was it, a week before? I thought it was yesterday. Oh, someone else has done that then. Oh right, okay, never mind. But anyway, I thought

I mistakenly called Jack Morehouse Justin Morehouse. Was it not open training last week that you did that? Could have been. Okay, maybe it was. Was that it?

It was little Kenny won in Phoenix Knights, Justin Morehouse. He was in Phoenix Knights, yeah. That's my childhood, isn't it? So I was just pining for that. You sound like you're in Phoenix Knights all of a sudden. I've never heard you say it. This is my audition for a role in the rebrand of Phoenix Knights. So anyway, I think Chido Obi obviously can't play in the Europa League, so you feel like he's going to get a go in the Premier League. So yeah, these matches are going to be weird. And certainly if United had gone out here tonight, wow, that would have been amazing.

a really difficult few matches, few weeks for United. They would have been like friendlies really, wouldn't they? I mean, what was there to kind of get your teeth into? Whereas this now, there's the chance to obviously rotate players, but also other players might just try and make a bit of a go for it to say, listen, in

a five minute period in a one off game I can do something I mean look as you say Harry Maguire finished up top Kouy Menou was also kind of up top I mean I'm not sure exactly what formation it was in the end Mason Mount was a right wing back was he? Mason Mount potentially so you've got all these quirks going on that if a player comes through in this period now Amri might actually go okay fair enough you're worth five minutes hopefully in the final in Bilbao and hopefully there's going to be more chaos and bedlam to finish it

Right, we're going out. Ten minutes we've got, right. Plenty of time. Look what United did with six. I know. You mentioned Justin Morales, who was little Kenny in Phoenix Knights. Last Friday, I did a night with his dad, big Kenny, who's from Phoenix Knights. Anyway, we're digressing here. What do you want to know about Athletic Club? I'll tell you anything about them. The city of Bilbao, you want the population. You want to know anything about their manager, his hobbies, photography, any of the players, the Williams brothers,

I'm seeing evidence of price gouging from some of the airlines. I looked at flights yesterday and they're four times more expensive now and that's a little bit cheeky. And some of those hotels, you better book...

we need to work something out because prices are bad for the semi. Imagine what it's going to be like for the final should Manchester United get there. They're a good team. They are Real Sociedad, they're great neighbours with an upgrade. Ernesto Valverde, I think he's a fantastic manager, a fantastic person. I thought he got very unfairly criticised at Barcelona because he only won them the league.

They're a huge club. They obviously have the famous policy of Basque-only players. They're very proud of that. They never want to change that. They'd rather be relegated than change that policy. I think it's wonderful in the modern world that they can do that. Their stadium, which opened in 2015, is a different one to where United last played there in those two epic games in 2012, which we lost. It holds 55,000 people.

I've never seen a party atmosphere at a football game like before our last trip to Bilbao. The Basques are so friendly, they're so hospitable, the food's good. And I'm not sure if it's a bank holiday. So all these things we can look forward to, which an hour or two ago we would just be cursing because it wasn't going to happen. We can smile and you can nod along and this all feels...

really good because the season is alive and that would have just all ended if we would have gone out and I thought we were going out. Did you? Yeah, mate, they needed three goals in the final six minutes of extra time. I don't think there was a single person in the world who didn't think they were going out, to be honest. I don't think anyone would have had faith at that point. It slowly built, didn't it? Very little point Manchester United players felt that Lyon players thought they were going through.

And that is crucial on the other side of it. You wonder from this point, not against Wolves at the weekend, that will be whatever ragtag bunch Ruben Amarin can get together for that game. Who's fit? Who's available? In fact, just before we do that, what happened with Masraoui then? So Masraoui went off at half-time. Did Ruben Amarin say what would happen with him? And Victor Lindelof warmed up

from what I could see throughout the entire half time and then didn't come on Luke Shaw came on yeah I'm not sure exactly just had personal personal reasons but they're both okay now so it seems like it was a strange occurrence and Ameryn basically was saying everything that's happened to us this season everything that could have happened has happened so anyway

What was interesting, you had Collier, Xerxe, De Ligt and Heaven all in the stands for the second half at least certainly watching from the director's box and then I think all bar De Ligt went on the pitch at full time. It was one of those occasions where everybody that could run on the pitch did run on the pitch and kind of in all different directions. Well, Leon had set that.

trend by the way with the entire backroom team and every single substitute and every single player that's played for them since 1990 running on the pitch when Lacazette scored the penalty Could you blame them though? Could you blame them for doing it? No I just think it's hilarious It's hilarious that they lost but that would have been one of the most historic wins in their entire history that was their Juventus away 3-2 moment wasn't it? They've come to Manchester United and come from 2-0 down with 10 men and they're winning and their goals were good as well

Horribly good. Yeah, jerky's finish, yeah. Unlucky. Watch French for unlucky. What I was getting at a moment ago, Laurie, before I started talking about Masraoui and Lindelof, was you wonder what this now does for Ruben Amerin as the head coach, what it does for this group of players who have been through a lot, shall we say, in the past.

with the club to feel that support to feel that moment yeah it's huge isn't it you're in this stadium where an explosion has happened of ecstatic emotion and so that has to feed into your feeling around the play you know Garnaccio went up to Mania at the end and gave him a massive hug he was jumping around like a little kid you know he's come off in a moment exactly there's a bit of that yeah but I also think you know he's

He's obviously been upset previously by coming off and it all goes away in a moment like this. I mean, I've seen Ahmad in the... So I forgot, Ahmad's another one that was out on the pitch at the end and he's posted from the dressing room. I think it's a legitimate account where he's basically said...

it's him and Ugarte and Garnaccio and he's basically said yeah you're very lucky Garnaccio basically that we bailed you out and Ugarte that was a shit goal and anyway I love you United we're never going to die and so he's obviously being quite playful with a friend of his but I just think that's the kind of stuff these are the kind of stories that you can tell each other and you can kind of you can

I don't know, josh each other a little bit and kind of spark each other into hopefully improved performances by saying, listen, if we actually stick together and we don't give up, this is what can happen. Now, we had this a little bit with Liverpool last season, didn't we, where it was 4-3, epic game, brilliant occasion. And United actually did end up winning the FA Cup, but it didn't sustain then in the league or, you know, obviously ultimately Eric Ten Hag lost his job. So,

yes this is a really crucial night I think for Amarim for his credibility for that connection with him and the fans that connection with him and the players but also it does ultimately need to hopefully lead somewhere you know ideally to a Europa League final but even at that point

to league success but obviously that's going to take time and money and right signings and all that and we can get into that on another podcast. Yeah, we've not heard from the Manchester United head coach. The post-match interviews that he did summed it up really so here's a little flavour of what he had to say. I was watching again the 99 to have some inspiration for this moment but it was a great night. I think we...

The team was tired and you feel it during the game and then 4-2 with one more player and you think it's over but here it's never over. I felt that here everything is possible and then you feel the environment.

And then after the 4-3, the penalty from Boruno, and you feel that you can change the game. Playing Premier League and European games is really hard if you don't have the full squad. It's almost impossible. When we play against European teams, you can feel that we can cope better with that. I think we'll have to be really focused on Europa League and we have to...

to take a risk sometimes with the kids in Premier League and we have to be tough on that and the fans have to understand that we have to focus on the Europa League. Yeah, for Amrn, Andy, he needed that, didn't he? Yeah, he would have been hammered if United would have gone out there and he did need it. A couple of people have said, amid the swirl of opinions after the game, is that the Mark Robbins moment? And you hope so.

But seeing how average United were at times, I'm not convinced that it is. There was definitely a spirit there. They never gave up. Melchonsus is unlucky in French, by the way. Anyone listening on your way back to Lyon? Melchonsus. Amazing. It's a quality they've left. I don't know.

He's had a terrible time, but I don't think the fans have lost faith in him. So we did the piece on the Athletic yesterday, speaking to fans who went to Newcastle on Sunday. Why are you singing for the manager? Because to the outsider, they're baffled that the team are doing so badly that they're 14th. And getting some really sort of cogent opinions and sensible opinions is in an early stage of a project where...

Manchester United start to improve again. And that's the best case scenario for us. With every defeat, it knocks your confidence in that. But he's clearly a hugely talented coach. But tonight, I was just looking on some of the comments when United were losing. There were a lot of people starting to lose patience with him. I saw one, if he's the answer, what's the question? So you can see, and with good reason... Has the team ever come back in the final...

minute of extra time needing two goals well his team have does he get the credit for that or was it spontaneous was it something else but when it all settles down his season is still alive and just as Jose Mourinho was rightly praised for winning this competition in 17

So he would be as well. I just don't think I could go through another night like that. I mean, the last time we played Athletic Club was an incredible game here. They had Marcello Bielsa as manager. Can't go through something like that again. I'd go through that extra time over and over and over again. You know the end result, but...

But that's what makes it special, Andy. You don't know the end result. That's what makes this sport so beautiful. I know, you're right. And this team are never going to do it easy, are they? No. That was set up to be as easy as it could be at 2-0, them playing well. That Garnaccio chance changes it a bit, well, a lot maybe, but also there's still time after that and then it turns. So that was as easy as it's going to be possible. They didn't do it, so you know from now on it's going to be...

It's going to be strained, it's going to be players at the end of their energies, it's going to be Amarin trying to get his tactics board out and put little positions for different players out. Is he doing that at extra time? We need to wrap this up, you two, by the way. We've had the finger twice. Whereas Fonseca was like, go for it, lads, it was all about emotion. And with Amarin it was like... There was some tactical tweaks at extra time, yeah, for Amarin. It was moving Harry Maguire up front and the rest is history. Wow. What a night we have witnessed.

I hope you enjoyed reliving that on the podcast as much as we did recording it. How on earth we're supposed to get sleep tonight, I have no idea. Town lads. Yeah, let's just go right through. And have a good cocktail bar. Oh yeah, oh yeah. Wow. Anyway, Andy, Laurie, thank you for your company. Thanks for listening along at home as well, wherever you are. My goodness me. Bit more of that, please. See you on the next one. Take care. Bye-bye.

The Athletic FC Podcast Network. As we head into the playoffs, it's safe to assume there will be a few calls made by the refs that will be hard to accept. But you know what isn't hard to accept? Discover. Believe it or not, Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. You heard that right, 99%. So make a good call for your wallet and get Discover. Based on the February 2024 Nielsen Report, learn more at discover.com slash credit card.