Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy recently opened up about the intense emotions he experienced during a recent match involving one of his former teams, Manchester United. Although McCarthy is no longer part of the Manchester United technical bench, having served as a first-team coach for two years under Erik ten Hag, he remains deeply invested in the club’s fortunes. His passion for United, which he has supported since childhood, means he experiences every match with the same intensity as any devoted fan.
McCarthy’s connection to United was put to the test in their dramatic Europa League quarter-final clash against French club Lyon on April 17, 2025. The game was a heart-stopping affair that saw United edge through to the semi-finals in one of the most thrilling matches in recent memory. Having drawn 2-2 in the first leg in France, United needed to win at Old Trafford to progress. The game began promisingly with United taking a 2-0 lead at halftime, thanks to goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot.
However, Lyon responded fiercely in the second half, with Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico scoring to level the match at 2-2 in the 77th minute, pushing it into extra time. The drama intensified as Lyon played with 10 men after Tolisso was sent off in the 89th minute. Despite being a man down, Lyon managed to find the back of the net twice in extra time through Ryan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette. With the scoreline now 4-2, United faced an uphill battle, needing to score three more goals to secure an improbable comeback.
Just when it seemed like Lyon had one foot in the semi-finals, Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty in the 114th minute, reigniting hope for United fans. The match reached its crescendo in stoppage time, with Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire both scoring to complete an extraordinary comeback, lifting United to a 5-4 victory on aggregate.
Reflecting on the match, McCarthy admitted the emotional toll it took on him. “I am so tired after that match because my brain, my heart, everything was 100 miles an hour,” McCarthy shared. “But I am glad for the team because I think this is the best opportunity that they can get to get into the Champions League, especially after the season that they’ve had.”
The coach was full of praise for the perseverance and determination shown by United, particularly given the circumstances. Despite being two goals down and facing a Lyon team that had scored twice in extra time, United’s ability to fight back and secure the win left McCarthy in awe. He also acknowledged the quality of Lyon’s performance, noting that scoring two goals with 10 men was a remarkable achievement. “There is no comeback from that, but credit to the manager and players for persevering and really pushing and not disappointing,” McCarthy added.
Looking ahead, McCarthy is now focused on United’s Europa League semi-final tie against La Liga club Athletic Bilbao. The first leg will take place in Spain on May 1, 2025, and McCarthy is hopeful that United can seal the deal early and complete their journey to the final. Despite the rollercoaster of emotions, McCarthy’s confidence in his former team remains unwavering, and he will be rooting for them to secure a place in the Champions League.
