Manchester United players did what their tifo promised vs Lyon in the most extraordinary way

'Never gonna stop!' read the inaugural Old Trafford tifo that adorned the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand. Not even the worst Manchester United team in 51 years has stopped.

If they are one of the worst, they have conjured up one of this great club's best nights. For sheer improbability and audacity, this runs Barcelona 1999 close.

The tifo bore the images of the five United captains hoisting the five European trophies chiselled onto the clubs' honours board. There could be a sixth next month.

It was such a torturous night for United fans they did not even air ‘Cause United are going to Bilbao’. But they are, in the semi-finals. And then maybe the final.

Ruben Amorim knelt down at half-time in extra time, fidgeting with a tactics board. A prayer mat may have been more appropriate. If he sought a favour from the Almighty, he got one.

United were reduced to taking their only striker off for a midfielder and putting Harry Maguire up front. The midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo, levelled the tie. Maguire won it. This was classic United. All hands to the pump. Throwing everything at it.

Lyon’s analysts were so convinced of victory they were the most unabashed in their celebrations to have occupied those seats. Two intrepid United fans did not hold back when Mainoo equalised. They almost tripped down the gangway when Maguire connected in the 121st minute.

This was shaping up to be Amorim's worst night yet with United. From United's second goal onwards, he seemed to get every major decision wrong. He was neither proactive nor reactive with his changes. The perkier Portuguese in the dugout was Paulo Fonseca, rejected by Tottenham four years ago.

Instead it was Amorim’s best so far. For the emotion. For the comeback. It was only when United