Remembering the last time Man Utd and Lyon faced one another ⏪ | OneFootball

Manchester United face Lyon tonight in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final as they desperately try to keep their season alive. A far cry from the last time these two clubs met - when they were both at the peak of their powers.

Back in 2008, United had climbed back on their Premier League perch the season prior and were en route to the second of three titles in a row, while Lyon were weeks away from making it seven Ligue 1 titles on the spin.

The two clashed in a Champions League round of 16 tie that was tightly contested across both legs, and stacked with superstar names.

United boasted a front line of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, not to mention Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, while Lyon had the precocious talents of Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa, as well as free-kick wizard Juninho and others, in their ranks.

After Tevez cancelled out Benzema's fine strike in the dying minutes at the Stade de Gerland, the two headed to Old Trafford with it all to play for. As he did throughout his Ballon d'Or season, Ronaldo stepped up when he was needed most, firing home the only goal of the game to seal a 2-1 aggregate win for United.

The Red Devils would go on to claim a third Champions League title in dramatic fashion against Chelsea in Moscow. However, this season would represent the last time United were the best side in Europe, and we all know what's happened since Fergie's retirement in 2013.

As for Lyon, the 2007/2008 season would be the last time they could call themselves the best of France.

The Qatari takeover of PSG coupled with their own downturn has seen them, like United, go from being regulars at Europe's top table to just looking for an invite.

That could come via a top-four league finish for Lyon, but United's hopes of playing Champions League football next season, let alone a shot at winning it again, hinges on the next seven days.

It really is all or nothing for Ruben Amorim's men.

📸 ANDREW YATES - 2008 AFP