Gutted Neil Lennon rued a missed Europa League brush with history as gutsy Omonia Nicosia were denied by last-gasp Manchester United hero Scott McTominay.
However, the Irishman waxed lyrical about spectacular keeper Francis Uzoho. The 23-year-old Omonia deputy is a lifelong United fan and produced an incredible display. Lennon knows all about goalkeeping heroics, of course, Fraser Forster was dubbed the 'Great Wall' by the Spanish press when he repelled Lionel Messi and Co back in 2012 - and Lennon used that game for inspiration before the match.
Manchester United recorded 33 shots and the brilliant Uzoho was up to the challenge as he left Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford and Casemiro open-jawed by the string of remarkable saves the Nigerian was pulling off. But it wasn't to be as McTominay ended Nicosia's gritty Europa League resistance. Lennon's side gave Erik Ten Hag's men problems last week and almost earned an unlikely point inside the Theatre of Dreams.
Speaking to BT Sport, Lennon said: "It probably would have been the greatest result in the club's history. We defended heroically. I was really frustrated, the second half we didn't keep the ball in the final third at all. And it was just wave after wave of attack and you just have to accept that.
"The players were very strong, towards the middle of the goal, my goalkeeper was incredible, which you need, against a team as good as this. I mean, a few of them will come out with a lot of glory and few will have regrets about how the game went. I am really proud of them but at this level you need to keep the ball better."
And Lennon challenged heroic Uzoho to use his exploits against United to spark his career which has been plagued by injury.
Lennon added: "I said to him before the game 'I have had great goalkeeping performances before, I need one from you tonight'. He really stood up to the challenge, he was inspired, unbelievable, he has worked hard, he has had to wait his time and and he's taken his chance brilliantly. I just hope he can kick on, stay injury free and enjoy his football but that performance tonight was probably the best of his career. He may never better it."
