NEIL LENNON was denied a stunning Europa League upset as his Omonia Nicosia side ran Manchester United close.

The ex-Celtic boss watched his Cypriot side race into a shock lead over the Premier League giants at the GSP Stadium.

Lennon masterminded Celtic's famous triumph over Barcelona back in 2012 and looked to be producing another incredible European result.

But Manchester United rallied in the second-half to come back and earn victory in Cyprus - but not without a nervy finish to the match.

Karim Ansarifard fired Omonia into a shock lead after 34 minutes as he capped an incisive breakaway with a superb finish past the despairing David De Gea.

The Cypriot side were ahead at the break but just seven minutes after the restart were pegged back as Marcus Rashford curled home from the edge of the box.

Substitute Anthony Martial then put the Premier League club in front as he too found the bottom corner with an effort from the edge of the area.

Rashford then looked to end the contest as he bagged his second with a simple close-range finish from a Cristiano Ronaldo effort.

But Omonia weren't finished and forced a nervy end as Nikola Panayiotou diverted into the top corner from the centre of the box.

Unfortunately for Lennon, there was to be no upset despite an impressive showing from his Omonia Nicosia side on their home turf ahead of a trip to Old Trafford next week.