Lyon predicted XI v Manchester United: Malick Fofana out, Paul Akouokou in line for shock start over Nemanja Matić

Whilst Malick Fofana is nearing a return, he will not be fit to feature when Olympique Lyonnais host Manchester United at the Groupama Stadium on Thursday night. 

Ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal, the Belgium international returned to first-team training. However, this match comes too soon. The hope for Lyon is that Fofana will be fit for the return leg at Old Trafford next Thursday. Ernest Nuamah is the other major absentee. He has suffered a serious knee injury and will be out for several months; his season is already over. To replace the Ghanaian, Rayan Cherki may play off the right, whilst Thiago Almada is expected to play on the left of the attack. Corentin Tolisso is once again expected to play in a more advanced No.10 role for Lyon. 

There remains a doubt as to who will lead the line for OL; it will be either club captain Alexandre Lacazette or Georgia international Georges Mikautadze. In midfield, Paul Akouokou may play instead of Nemanja Matić, whilst Tanner Tessmann misses out for personal reasons.

Lyon likely line-up v Manchester United

Lucas Perri; Nicolás Tagliafico, Moussa Niakhaté, Clinton Mata, Ainsley Maitland-Niles; Jordan Veretout, Paul Akouokou; Thiago Almada, Corentin Tolisso, Rayan Cherki; Georges Mikautadze. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle