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Rob DawsonCorrespondent
Manchester United blew a two-goal lead within the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal as Sevilla scored twice within the remaining six minutes, forcing a 2-2 draw at Previous Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s workforce appeared in charge of their Europa League future thanks to 2 targets from Marcel Sabitzer within the opening 20 minutes, however late personal targets from Tyrell Malacia and substitute Harry Maguire imply Man United have work to do in Spain subsequent week to e-book a spot within the semifinals.
United’s evening was additionally marred by accidents to defenders Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, with the Argentinian stretched off within the second half with an obvious foot damage.
Fast response
1. A nasty evening for Man United makes Europa League harder
With Man United in management for thus lengthy, there could have been some United followers checking the rating of the sport between Juventus and Sporting Lisbon to see the place they’d be heading for the semifinals. That was till Sevilla scored twice within the remaining six minutes to place United on the again foot forward of the second leg in Spain subsequent week.
Sevilla are solely 5 factors away from the relegation locations in LaLiga and, for many of the evening, Man United imposed themselves with the dominant efficiency most anticipated. Sabitzer scored twice throughout a blistering opening 20 minutes, however the third purpose to kill off the tie by no means got here.
Sevilla have been capable of battle again — nearly out of nothing — thanks to 2 personal targets, first from Malacia after which Maguire. If that wasn’t dangerous sufficient, Ten Hag was additionally pressured to substituted Varane at half-time and watched his centre-back accomplice Martinez stretchered off after sustaining a foot damage.
To make issues worse, Bruno Fernandes will not be out there for the return leg in Spain after choosing up a reserving that can rule him out via suspension.
It ought to have been a cushty evening for United however as an alternative they are going to be made to work for his or her place within the semifinals.
2. Sabitzer is making sturdy case to remain
United would not have signed Sabitzer on mortgage from Bayern Munich in January had Christian Eriksen not suffered a nasty ankle damage — however the Austrian midfielder seems decided to remain. There isn’t any everlasting choice within the settlement with Bayern so, as issues stand, Sabitzer is ready to return to Germany on the finish of the season. However a pair extra performances like this and he has each probability of extending his keep at Previous Trafford.
Taking part in in a extra superior function towards Sevilla with Fernandes nearer to Casemiro, Sabitzer scored twice inside the primary 20 minutes — each occasions working past the Sevilla defence to get on the top of passes from midfielder, first from Fernandes after which from Anthony Martial.
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Midfield is among the areas the place United need to strengthen in the summertime, and the membership retain an curiosity in Frenkie De Jong whereas additionally monitoring Jude Bellingham‘s state of affairs at Borussia Dortmund. Sabitzer, although, is a far cheaper choice and Ten Hag has the benefit of already figuring out that he can sit into his system.
Sabitzer’s versatility can also be a bonus, displaying towards Sevilla that he is comfy within the No. 10 function behind the striker as a lot as he’s at No. 8 or No. 6.
3. Martial fills the void left by Rashford damage
It is a blow for Ten Hag that Marcus Rashford is ready for a spell on the sidelines after scoring practically a 3rd of United’s targets this season, however it will not be half as dangerous is Martial can keep match.
The Frenchman has been good when he is performed — he simply hasn’t been out there for sufficient of the season. His begin towards Sevilla — the place he spent the second half of final season on mortgage — was simply his tenth of a season stricken by damage. It was additionally Martial’s first begin in three months.
However Ten Hag is a fan of what Martial brings and, within the absence of Rashford, he confirmed why.
Martial was concerned in Sabitzer’s first purpose, working the ball again into midfield from a good house on the precise, after which arrange the second with a perfectly-weighted go via Sevilla’s defence.
Martial is in Ten Hag’s strongest XI and the Dutchman mentioned this week that United have performed their finest soccer when he is been match and out there. It bodes properly forward of an important run-in, throughout which Martial might need to play a key function whereas Rashford recovers. He was good towards Sevilla, however the greatest plus was that he was capable of play 60 minutes and are available via unscathed.
Martial’s efficiency was a plus for Ten Hag, however Sevilla’s two late targets have taken the shine off any positives.
Greatest and worst performers
Greatest: Marcel Sabitzer, Manchester United
Began because the superior midfielder and scored twice within the first 20 minutes.
Greatest: Anthony Martial, Manchester United
Beginning a recreation for the primary time in three months, he was concerned in each Sabitzer’s early targets.
Greatest: Casemiro, Manchester United
Again within the workforce after suspension and appeared as composed as ever.
Worst: Erik Lamela, Sevilla
The ex-Tottenham man was fortunate to not get a purple card for a late problem on Casemiro.
Worst: Fernando, Sevilla
The 35-year-old former Manchester Metropolis midfielder was meant to be taking care of Sabitzer and it did not go properly.
Worst: Tyrell Malacia, Manchester United
Wasn’t having a fantastic recreation rather than Luke Shaw at left-back and was then culpable for Sevilla’s late purpose.
Highlights and notable moments
Manchester United have been pinging the ball round with goal earlier than discovering Marcel Sabitzer within the 14th minute. The midfielder turned and end with a properly positioned shot to loft over Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
A WELL WORKED TEAM GOAL FROM MAN UTD FINISHED BY MARCEL SABITZER! 💥 pic.twitter.com/aXyMJfy5Gd
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 13, 2023
Sabitzer wasn’t accomplished there.
Seven minutes later, he doubled Man United’s lead with one other well-taken shot to beat the on-rushing Bounou.
2-0!
A QUICK BRACE FOR MARCEL SABITZER! 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/SpP91ZncmU
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 13, 2023
If the primary half was all Manchester United, the second half was a decidedly completely different affair.
The match actually turned on its head within the 84th minute, when Manchester United defender Tyrella Malacia unintentionally redirected a Jesús Navas cross into purpose, bringing Sevilla inside one.
A Man Utd personal purpose places Sevilla again within the tie. 😳 pic.twitter.com/7uHtaOC2vU
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 13, 2023
One other personal purpose worn out Manchester United’s lead.
Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri received his head on a cross, however he solely directed it so far as the top of Harry Maguire, who knew nothing about it. The ball bounced off Maguire’s head and previous Man United goalkeeper David de Gea.
SEVILLA COMPLETE THE COMEBACK! 😳 pic.twitter.com/cru9wCeOUT
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 13, 2023
After the match: What the managers and gamers mentioned
Publish-match quotes will seem right here when out there. Please test again shortly…
Key stats (offered by ESPN Stats & Data analysis)
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Harry Maguire: Every of the final two occasions he has scored a purpose, it has been on his personal web. (He scored an personal purpose in March 2022 vs. Tottenham within the Premier League.)
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Manchester United are the primary workforce to attain two personal targets in the identical Europa League match since Molde towards Arsenal in November 2020.
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Marcel Sabitzer will get his first brace at membership stage since March 2020. He scored a brace with the Austrian nationwide workforce this final FIFA window (March 24).
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Man United have been with out Marcus Rashford for the primary time since phrase got here that the ahead will should miss a number of video games. Rashford’s 17 targets because the World Cup break ended are tied with Karim Benzema for the second-most in all competitions amongst gamers from Europe’s prime 5 leagues in that span.
Up subsequent
Manchester United: The Pink Devils choose up the place they left off within the Premier League, dealing with Nottingham Forest on Sunday, April 16 at 11:30 a.m. ET. Then, Man United head to Sevilla for the second leg of the Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday, April 20.
Sevilla: Los Nervionenses proceed in LaLiga, visiting Valencia on Sunday, April 16 (stream reside on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET). Then, Sevilla host Man United within the second leg of the Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday, April 20.