When a thunderous Icelandic thunder clap broke out before kick-off at the Groupama Stadium, it seemed United had a challenge to live up to the atmosphere.
The early stages suggested they’d done just that, as they started firmly on the front foot, creating a gilt-edged chance when Patrick Dorgu cut the ball back for an unmarked Rasmus Hojlund 12 yards out, but the Dane tamely skewed his effort wide.
Go-to man Bruno Fernandes was next to try his luck, and although his effort was destined to at least test Lucas Perri, a last-ditch block deflected it inches over the bar.
Pre-match comments between Andre Onana and Nemanja Matic added some extra needle to this game, and the United keeper was left a bit red-faced midway through the first half.
Thiago Almada’s cross from a free kick was dangerous, but when a Lyon head missed it, Onana couldn’t keep it out of the far corner despite getting a hand on it.
It looked for all the world like his mistake would see United go in behind at half-time, but an unlikely source, Leny Yoro, popped up to divert Manuel Ugarte’s volley into the bottom corner.
It was United’s young centre-half who popped up with their first chance of the second half too, dragging an effort narrowly wide from the edge of the area.
An even bigger opportunity fell the way of the hosts, Corentin Tolisso in particular, who twisted and turned, worked himself a yard of space inside the area but could only fire straight into the grateful hands of Onana.
United began to ramp up the pressure in the closing stages and created a glorious opportunity to take a late lead when Alejandro Garnacho met Dorgu’s deep cross on the volley, but his bouncing effort was tipped over by Perri.
Lyon’s best chance to ensure they took a lead to Old Trafford next week came and went when substitute Alexandre Lacazette curled narrowly over the bar from inside the area.
They were made to pay in brutal fashion too, when with just a matter of minutes left on the clock, Joshua Zirkzee climbed highest at the far post to power home what he thought was the winning goal.
There was to be yet one more twist, when with virtually the last kick of the game, Cherki popped up to turn home from close range after Onana could only fumble Georges Mikautadze’s initial effort, although it did still extend United’s unbeaten run in the first leg of major European knockout ties to 12 matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Leny Yoro (Manchester United)