Joshua Zirkzee aims savage dig at Man United fans for leaving Old Trafford early after Red Devils pulled off crazy comeback win over Lyon to reach Europa League semi-finals

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has fired a shot at supporters who left Old Trafford before their stunning comeback win over Lyon in the Europa League.

The Red Devils were minutes away from crashing out of the competition on Thursday night after Alexandre Lacazette successfully converted a penalty to put the French side 4-2 up on the night and 6-4 on aggregate.

The former Arsenal striker's spot kick in the 19th minute of the additional 30-minute period prompted scores of Red Devils supporters to leave the ground on the, frankly logical, assumption that the tie, and to a greater degree United's season, was over.

But, remarkably, Ruben Amorim's men staged a breathtaking fightback, with goals from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire in the final six minutes of the clash to send the Red Devils into the semi-final.

Zirkzee, who suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in the weekend defeat by Newcastle, aimed a savage dig at fans who left the ground, posting a video on social media of the vocal support of the majority who stayed and were ultimately rewarded with a revival for the ages.

The Dutchman accompanied the clip with the message: 'To all the fans who left when we were down, have a listen to this.'

🚨 - Joshua Zirkzee on Instagram:

"To all the fans who left when we were down, have a listen to this.'

GOOSEBUMPS. 😍❤️pic.twitter.com/NpGlRDvTo7 — UF (@UtdFaithfuls) April 17, 2025

Man United forward Joshua Zirkzee fired a savage dig at supporters who had left the ground early when the side was trailing

Harry Maguire's header completed a stunning turnaround for Manchester United against Lyon

The Dutchman missed the game will be unavailable for the rest of the season after suffering a hamstring injury last weekend against Newcastle

Footage circulating on social media showed a group of supporters that had left the ground straining to see the action on a TV screen outside the ground before wild celebrations ensued after Maguire's winner.

The rip-roaring night of action in Manchester began with goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot which gave the hosts a 2-0 aggregate lead following a draw in the first leg.

Lyon then staged a superb fightback of their own in the second half to force extra time, drawing level through goals from Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico.

The French side completed the turnaround despite being reduced to 10-men, with Rayan Cherki and an Alexander Lacazette penalty putting the visitors on course for the last four.

Then came the astonishing climax to the tie that saw Fernandes, Mainoo and Maguire score as United roared back to win 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate.

‘4-2 with one more player and you think it's over,’ Amorim said post match. ‘But here, it's never over. I was watching again the ‘99 documentary for inspiration for these moments, it was a great night.’

Match winner Maguire, said: 'Even when we it was 3-2 we felt like we’d felt chances to come back into it.

'As soon as we got the fourth I felt like there’d be another chance and it fell to myself and thankfully I put it in the back of the net and it was an amazing feeling.’

Footage of the Man United fans who left early celebrating their winner outside Old Trafford 😅

(via @amorimballl_) pic.twitter.com/c8t7IndO9Q — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2025

Footage circulating on social media showed fans who had left early celebrating Maguire's winner outside of the ground

Ruben Amorim hailed his side's dramatic victory that keeps alive hopes of European success and Champions League qualification

Mainoo added, on the prospect of going all the way and winning this competition now: ‘It was an amazing comeback, we put ourselves in that situation, though.

‘When I came on I was just trying to bring energy and feed off the rest of the players. The performance wasn’t the highest standard but win like that can bring some momentum.‘

United's dramatic win sets up a semi-final clash against Athletic Bilbao, whose stadium will stage the final of the competition on May 21.

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