Europa League win could see Manchester United youngster fast-tracked to the first team

The pre-match focus ahead of Manchester United's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon was very much on Andre Onana, with the goalkeeper's return to the starting XI dominating Ruben Amorim's pre-match press conference.

But while the spotlight will shine brightly on Onana after his errors in the first leg and his absence from the team at Newcastle, there will also be pressure on at the other end of the pitch. With Joshua Zirkzee out for the rest of the season, Rasmus Hojlund is the only striker left in United's Europa League squad.

If United are to win this competition, salvaging silverware and a Champions League return from the ruins of a dismal campaign, Hojlund will have to step up to the plate. The Dane has one goal in his last 28 games but will lead the attack against Lyon and possibly beyond.

It's hard to envisage United winning this competition without their striker coming to the party. Bruno Fernandes has been outstanding in the Europa League, and Alejandro Garnacho can be a threat, but Hojlund is the £72million striker charged with scoring the key goals.

The burden may feel lighter if he performs against the Ligue 1 side on Thursday. He struggled in the Groupama Stadium last week and saw Zirkzee score after replacing him, with the Dutch forward keeping his place against Newcastle. The hamstring injury he sustained at St James' Park has ended his season.

If Hojlund helps keep United in Europe and sets up a semi-final showdown with Rangers or Athletic Bilbao, then Amorim's approach to Premier League games will become interesting. The only other natural striker to have played for United is 17-year-old Chido Obi, who can't be registered for the Europa League.

That makes keeping Hojlund fit and firing