This is the exact point that I am emphasizing on, most people are underating United because they did poorly in EPL but they forget that EPL is tough and all those clubs have been playing with each other for a long time now. Lyon is a different club entirely from the EPL clubs which may give United an edge over Lyon because the club with the best strategy and performance will win the match.
Considering the performance of Manchester United in the English Premier League, it cannot be said that Manchester United will perform badly in the European League. We know English Premier League and Europa League are two different competitions so if Manchester United do not perform well in Premier League but perform well in Europa League then I think they can finish the tournament with a good result in Europa League. Earlier we saw that Liverpool were hot favorites in the Europa League last season but they could not finish the tournament with a good result from the Europa League.
Since the performance of Manchester United is still getting better in the European League, they have to maintain the continuity of this performance as well as play according to the plan in the few matches they have ahead. If they can play according to plan then I think they can at least qualify for the semi-finals or finals of the Europa League this season.