Owen Hargreaves heaped praise on Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho after his stunning display in his side’s 1-0 defeat against Manchester United on Thursday night at Old Trafford.

The Cypriot outfit were on the backfoot for the majority of the Europa League clash, but United could not find a way through until an added time Scott McTominay strike, as Uzoho pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the hosts at bay.

It was a frustrating evening for the Red Devils as Uzoho somehow denied Cristiano Ronaldo and co, and BT Sport pundit Hargreaves hailed the Nigerian shot-stopper, who happens to be a United fan, after the game.

“That’s what it feels like when you have the game of your life. Even when they’ve lost he’s smiling. He was amazing,” Hargreaves said at full time. “To think he’s their second keeper blows you away. He’ll nick a move off the back of that performance, I guarantee you. This game will change his career, arguably his life. I think that’s what sport is all about, moments like that.”

Uzoho made his first save of the match inside the opening two minutes when he tipped Marcus Rashford’s curling effort over the bar. Rashford continued to test Uzoho for the rest of the half, while the goalkeeper was also forced into action by Ronaldo, Antony and Casemiro, but there was no way past him.

At the start of the second half, he made two eye-catching double saves in a matter of minutes, keeping out Antony, Rashford, Fred and Ronaldo. By the end of the match, United had attempted over 30 shots on goals, but Uzoho denied them time and again. Co-commentator Robbie Savage was in awe of Uzoho’s display.

“What a performance, Uzoho!” he exclaimed as the game ticked into added time.

Unfortunately for Omonia and Uzoho, McTominay scored from close range in the 93rd minute to seal a 1-0 win for United.

This did little to dampen Uzoho’s spirits, though, as the boyhood United fan spoke of fulfilling his dream of playing at Old Trafford after the final whistle.

“It’s a dream come true for me. “I have dreamed of playing here for a long time,” he told BT Sport. “When I saw the draw, I wanted to play at Old Trafford and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to play. I am proud of my team-mates because it wasn’t a one man job tonight and we gave everything. I’m happy with my performance.”

Fans were also full of praise for Uzoho on social media throughout the evening.

“All of a sudden Francis Uzoho turns prime Buffon,” one supporter joked.  Another fan went with a similar theme as they added, “Uzoho turns prime Manuel Neuer playing against his boyhood club at Old Trafford. Rashford has tried everything against him – good saves every time from the Nigerian goalkeeper.”

Uzoho spent time in Spain earlier in his career playing for Deportivo La Coruna and Elche, while he has also picked up 25 caps for Nigeria, but some fans felt he had never played better than on Thursday night.

• A Daily Mail / Tell report