Manchester United and Sevilla's first leg of their Europa
League quarterfinal was a tie, ending in a 2-2 score at Old Trafford. In the
first session, the Red Devils allowed two own goals after a hat trick from
Jakob Sabitzer.
Photo by Chaos Soccer Gear on Unsplash
United is still in the chase for three trophies after
winning the League Cup in February and meeting Brighton in the FA Cup
quarterfinals later this month. To advance to the Europa League semifinals,
they must triumph at Seville after giving up a 2-0 lead.
Despite Marcus Rashford's injury, United started well in the
first half, but Sevilla equalised with two goals from Tyrell Malacia and
Harry Maguire. All discussion points are listed here...
Midway through the season, Sabitzer moved on loan to Old Trafford and has magnificently impressed. In United's three games without Christian Eriksen, the
29-year-old has moved forward from central midfield.
Bruno Fernandes and Sabitzer have filled Eriksen's role. The
Austrian international helped Rashford win over Brentford and scored twice
against Sevilla.
Now that Eriksen's ankle injury is healed, Sabitzer's
performances may force Ten Hag to make his loan move permanent in the summer.
"Naturally, Manchester United is on my mind, especially
given that Erik ten Hag has shown me a lot of faith," Sabitzer told BILD
earlier this week, expressing his desire to stay. I belong. After experiencing
the Premier League, there's nothing better."
Ten Hag turned to Martial in United's first game without
Rashford, who has 28 goals in all competitions but is out with a muscle injury.
In the pre-game press conference, Ten Hag said, "We
perform at our best as a team when he is on the pitch." The Frenchman
started for the first time since January. He scores faster on the pitch,
according to statistics."
Martial assisted both Sabitzer goals. Most notably, he
assisted the second goal after collecting possession in his half, driving
forward, and finding his teammate's run with an inch-perfect pass.
Fernandes was sent off for handball when he went in to block
Nemanja Gudelj's shot on the edge of the box.
United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was furious with referee
Felix Zwayer's decision to suspend Fernandes for the second game next week.
"That's scarcely a yellow card," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Fernandes went for the ball, but where should his hand
go? I support the free kick, but it does not warrant a yellow card."
Jadon Sancho has struggled since joining Manchester for £73
million in 2021. The winger scored seven goals for him in 28 games this season;
however, he hasn't scored a goal since February. He was sure that within 25 seconds he had scored, but
Schmeichel denied it because he was offside.
Sevilla equalised in the last minute when Malacia and
Maguire scored their goals. United bungled a clearance, allowing
Malacia and former Manchester City player Jesus Navas to score the opening goal.
When Yousef headed the ball towards the net, Maguire's foot unintentionally diverted it, tricking De Gea. Sevilla equalised later. Robbie Savage called Malacia's "terrible"
blunder the reason for the first goal. "Malacia switches off," BT Sport commentator
Savage said. This is a terrible defence.
United lost Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez to injury.
The duo have been crucial to United's success under Ten Hag this season, and
Martinez's injury posed major worries.
Sevilla would likely overcome United in the second game if
Rashford and Fernandes are out of the game.