Update: I have played at Old Trafford for Lyon against Man United – here’s what impressed me most News

United host Lyon at Old Trafford in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final this evening

For a while it felt like Manchester United played against Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) fairly regularly in the Champions League.

Lyon, who sit fourth in Ligue 1, drew United in the group stages in 2004/05 and the two sides faced each other in the last 16 in 2008 as United won 2-1 over two legs as they went on to win the competition.

The two sides face off once again this evening in the Europa League quarter-finals, having drawn the first leg 2-2 in France, but ahead of the game former Lyon goalkeeper, Nicolas Puydebois, has revealed what impressed him the most during his visit to Old Trafford in 2004.

Puydebois’ appearance against Manchester United came by chance. He replaced injured goalkeeper, Grégory Coupet, following an injury against Fenerbahçe. He played in a strong Lyon side, which included the likes of a young Michael Essien, before his move to Chelsea.

Speaking to Olympique Et Lyonnais, Puydebois recollected his own performance, specifically when Gary Neville scored his only ever goal in the competition.

“I have some remorse. I tell myself that if I had played more freely, I could have done better on the first goal.”

Neville was about to be substituted by Wes Brown, but soon after he waved to the bench (signalling that he was alright) Neville found himself volleying the ball into the net from point blank range. This was following Alan Smith’s cross which was poorly dealt with by a Lyon defender, and left Puydebois in no man’s land.

Mahamadou Diarra equalised from distance before half time. Manchester United went on to win the game 2-1 with Ruud van Nistelrooy heading home the winner in front of the Stretford End.

However, Puydebois still has fond memories of the game, despite being on the losing team: “It remains an incredible moment, we had a crazy team, it was great. It was a good moment and what’s more, we qualified afterwards.”

The key memory which stayed with Puydebois forever, was before the game itself. He said: “The most impressive thing was in the tunnel before the match.

“Next to me, there were guys (Van Nistelrooy, Giggs, Rooney) that I had watched playing in the Euros on TV three months before.”

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