After the 2-2 draw against Manchester United, Rayan Cherki speaks up and doesn’t hesitate to tackle Onana and his teammates 🗣️ “They us…. ” 😱 📌
Rayan Cherki Calls Out Manchester United’s Approach After 2-2 Draw: “They Clearly Respect Us… Maybe Even Fear Us”
After an intense 2-2 stalemate between Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash, the post-match buzz centered around more than just the goals. Lyon’s young star Rayan Cherki, who netted a late equalizer, didn’t shy away from sharing his bold take on the match—and Manchester United’s tactics.
Cherki, speaking with conviction, implied that the English side’s setup revealed a deep awareness—and perhaps anxiety—about Lyon’s attacking power. According to him, United’s defensive posture throughout the game wasn’t just a strategy; it was a sign of how much they feared being overrun.
“We could’ve won,” Cherki told Canal+ after the final whistle. “We followed our coach’s plan to the letter. We respected the game, and we played well. But we’re not satisfied. This isn’t over.”
The French striker emphasized that the battle isn’t settled until the second leg at Old Trafford. “We’re not just going there to play—we’re going to win,” he declared with steely resolve.
Manchester United, despite their reputation for aggressive, attacking football, took a surprisingly conservative approach. Ruben Amorim’s decision to deploy two defensive midfielders raised eyebrows. Cherki saw that choice as a clear indication that United were trying to contain Lyon, not dominate them.
“It showed they were wary of what we could do,” he added. “They didn’t come to play their usual football—they came to survive.”
Throughout the match, Lyon’s disciplined defense and tactical balance limited United’s creativity. Key players like Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Højlund struggled to break through Lyon’s tight lines. In midfield, Lyon’s pressing game disrupted United’s rhythm, leaving the Premier League side with few clear chances.
With the second leg looming, Cherki made it clear that Lyon would not be changing their attacking mindset. “We’ll go to Old Trafford to play our football. Beautiful, attacking football. And hopefully, we’ll come out on top.”
As the tie remains wide open, all eyes turn to Manchester. Lyon believes in their chances—not just to compete, but to conquer. And with Cherki leading the charge, they’re ready to take the fight to one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The rematch
promises fireworks.
