Two targets up and seemingly cruising towards the Europa League semifinals, Manchester United is now counting the price of a late meltdown towards Sevilla. Own targets from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire within the 84th and 92nd minutes on Thursday left the quarterfinals within the stability at 2-2 forward of subsequent week’s second leg in Spain.
Meanwhile, accidents to middle backs Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez added to a nasty night time for Erik ten Hag. The United supervisor is already with out injured main scorer Marcus Rashford at a important level of the season. Bruno Fernandes can also be suspended for the second leg after choosing up his third yellow card of the competitors.
“We had the game in our hands, we were 2-0 up and should have scored three or four, then we had some unlucky moments with injuries,” Ten Hag mentioned. “I know we can do better in the last part of the game, we have to be more composed. We were a little bit unlucky defensively. It wasn’t a nice night.”
It was Sevilla’s visiting supporters who may very well be heard singing loudest on the remaining whistle, with Old Trafford surprised by the Spanish staff’s fightback. United can count on a scorching reception at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium subsequent week after giving the Spaniards a lifeline at a time after they appeared to be headed out of a contest they’ve dominated in current occasions.
“It’s as we said at halftime: with one goal we get back in the tie and we were strong enough to keep going and to take our chances,” Sevilla coach Jose Luis Mendilibar mentioned.
There is a cause why Sevilla has received the trophy six occasions between 2006-20 and that’s as a result of it finds a approach by tough moments. And whereas it could sit thirteenth within the Spanish league, it refused to surrender, regardless of being outplayed for almost all of the match.
Marcel Sabitzer scored within the 14th and twenty first to provide United a 2-0 halftime lead. Antony hit the bar after the break, earlier than Sevilla made Ten Hag’s staff pay for failing to kill the sport off, with Malacia turning Jesus Navas’ cross into his personal web to spark the late comeback.
_ Sabitzer 14′
_ Sabitzer 21′
__ Malacia 84′ og
__ Maguire 90’+2 ogIt ends even at Old Trafford _#UEL pic.twitter.com/NeYLZk2wYc
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 13, 2023
David de Gea pulled off a flying save to disclaim substitute Youssef En-Nesyri from equalizing in stoppage time. But Sevilla was quickly celebrating when Maguire inadvertently diverted En-Nesyri’s header put previous his personal goalkeeper virtually instantly after. While Ten Hag should now elevate his gamers after relinquishing management of the quarterfinals matchup, he might also need to plan forward with out key defenders.
Varane was substituted at halftime due to harm and Martinez regarded in misery as he was carried off the sphere by Sevilla gamers Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel, his Argentina teammates, late on. Ten Hag couldn’t give particulars of severity of Martinez’s harm, however the participant’s response — crouched over and masking his face along with his fingers on the sideline — appeared to indicate his personal concern.
“I think he will not play on Sunday,” Ten Hag mentioned. “It looks like that but I can’t say what is the diagnosis and I prefer to wait and then we are clear and know exactly what is it.”
United performs Nottingham Forest within the Premier League on Sunday earlier than the second leg towards Sevilla on Thursday and the FA Cup semifinal towards Brighton subsequent weekend. “I have an idea what we can play on Sunday,” Ten Hag mentioned. “But first we have to see tomorrow and talk with medical (staff), see who came out of the game and then we have a plan and then we will bring a good team on pitch.”
