Manchester United had a particularly difficult day, starting with a bitter defeat at Newcastle with a score of 4-1, which accentuated their precarious position in the Premier League standings and exposed the weaknesses of their game. This counter-performance was aggravated by an injury to Joshua Zirkzee, who was forced to give up his place at the 55th minute, an absence that seriously jeopardizes the chances of the team in the run-up to the quarter-final return of Ligue Europa against Olympique Lyonnais. The technical staff, led by Ruben Amorim, confirmed the unavailability of the Dutch player, stressing the seriousness of the muscle discomfort he feels.

In striking contrast, Olympique Lyonnais celebrated a brilliant victory in Auxerre (3-1) on Sunday night, allowing the team to climb back into the Top 4 of Ligue 1 and demonstrate a reassuring offensive power. This success, far from mitigating the disappointment of Manchester United, highlights the difficulties faced by the English team, which is now facing a major challenge in the Europa League without one of its key players. Zirkzee’s absence was all the more damaging as he had shone in the match against OL, unlike his Danish team-mate, Rasmus Hojlund, who should logically be titularised again.

The loss of Joshua Zirkzee is a hard blow for Manchester United, as it deprives the team of a high-performance, offensively experienced element. Ruben Amorim expressed his pessimism about the possibility of the Dutch player recovering in time for the return match, suggesting an inevitable titularization of Hojlund. This situation underscores the significant contrast between the current form of Manchester United, weakened by injuries and negative results, and the positive dynamic of Olympique Lyonnais, which approaches the return match with renewed confidence and a strong ambition.