Kobbie Mainoo explains Manchester United goal celebration in heartwarming post
Manchester United booked their place in the Europa League semi-final after a dramatic win over Lyon
Manchester United hero Kobbie Mainoo has explained his goal celebration against Lyon in a touching message to Joshua Zirkzee.
The 19-year-old was on target as United progressed into the Europa League semi-final with a dramatic win over the Ligue 1 side.
Mainoo emerged with a crucial contribution as his effort in extra-time stoppage time dragged United back level before, seconds later, Harry Maguire headed home the winning goal.
It was the midfielder’s first goal since returning from a lengthy injury, but in scoring, he fired a message of support to teammate Joshua Zirkzee, who will miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.
In a post on Instagram, Mainoo said: “Sending love to my shooter @zirkzee.”
United will face Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final as the opportunity to secure Champions League qualification after enduring a dismal league campaign. Few could have predicted the drama at Old Trafford on Thursday after Ruben Amorim’s side looked to be cruising into the last four.
They took a two-goal lead into the second half, but Lyon staged a fightback to take the game to extra time. And despite being down to 10 men after Correntin Tolisso was shown a second yellow card late on in normal time, they were on the verge of an embarrassing elimination.
Rayan Cherki's strike and Alexandre Lacazette's penalty fired Lyon to the cusp of an unlikely semi-final meeting. But Amorim’s side staged a late comeback through Bruno Fernandes, Mainoo and Maguire.
The Portuguese admitted that a documentary about the Champions League comeback triumph in 1999 worked as inspiration for the modern-day memorable encounter.
"I was watching again the 1999 documentary to have some inspiration for these moments," Amorim told TNT Sports.
"It was a great night - 4-2 with one more player you think it's over, but here it is never over. I felt here everything is possible."
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