Two late own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire undid Manchester United‘s early dominance at Old Trafford, as Sevilla came from behind to draw 2-2 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.
The Europa League specialists, who fell behind to Marcel Sabitzer’s quickfire brace in the first half, grew in confidence after the break as United were hit with a serious of concerning injuries.
Mail Sport’s JACK GAUGHAN reflects on the game with three major talking points.
Time for Maguire and Lindelof to step up
Manchester United went to pieces once Lisandro Martinez was carried off by Argentina team-mates Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel before then heading down the tunnel on a stretcher. The injury, which looks a bad one around the foot area and left him requiring crutches, presents a major headache for Erik ten Hag.
The games are coming thick and fast – Nottingham Forest away is followed up by the return leg in Seville before an FA Cup semi-final – and United also wait to find out the extent of Raphael Varane’s problem that saw him leave the scene early.
Manchester United squandered a two-goal lead in their Europa League first leg against Sevilla on Thursday night, failing to capitalise on their early dominance in the first half at Old Trafford
Lisandro Martinez picked up an nasty injury against Sevilla and was forced off on a stretcher
Raphael Varane also picked up an injury – causing a defensive crisis for Erik ten Hag at United
So for Forest it seems likely to be two from Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw. Ten Hag namechecked the injured Shaw, which suggests he might have a chance of making it after missing the last couple of matches since limping out of last week’s win over Brentford.
If it is to be Lindelof and Maguire, then these are big moments for the two of them. They’ve started together sporadically this season – on 10 occasions but only two of those in the Premier League – and quickly fell behind the first-choice pairing on Ten Hag’s arrival.
A run for Maguire will provide United with all the answers they require on his future. Ten Hag talked him up after the win against Everton last weekend, claiming that he is seeing a ‘different’ defender to the first half of the campaign, but where he plays his football next year is still unknown.
United need ruthless Rashford back
Marcus Rashford was sat up in his private box watching United give up not only a two-goal lead but such supremacy that at one stage, it felt like a semi-final berth would be wrapped up in a single night.
At times it felt too comfortable for the hosts, who then did not put their foot down on the accelerator to take the tie way out of Sevilla’s reach.
The Red Devils are still without their star man Marcus Rashford in attack because of an injury
United would’ve been more dangerous had Anthony Martial been given more than 62 minutes
Rashford’s inclusion may well have seen them ruthlessly dispatch the Spaniards – United certainly would have remained more dangerous had Anthony Martial been given more than 62 minutes, with his game time being managed – but generally it is that killer instinct which they have missed as a unit for a long while now.
It leaves the quarter-final wide open, although Ten Hag did suggest that Rashford’s groin injury may not be as serious as first thought.
‘There is a chance [Rashford’s available the second leg] but I can’t confirm it at this moment,’ he said. That would provide a timely boost, given the options from the bench on Thursday were Wout Weghorst, Anthony Elanga and an inexperienced Facundo Pellestri.
Ten Hag must go full strength again
There is a sizeable knock-on effect of United’s failure to finish Sevilla off when they had the chance. Any temptation Ten Hag might have had to rest a whole load of regular starters at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium next week has now vanished. What an opportunity that would have been.
Erik ten Hag would have hoped to rest players in the second leg when United came in 2-0 ahead at half-time – but now the Dutchman must go full strength once again in Spain next week
It’s likely out-of-favour centre-back Harry Maguire will be called upon in the upcoming weeks
And it had been looking rosy at 2-0. Even the farcical yellow card to Bruno Fernandes, ruling him out of the second leg, did not feel particularly problematic.
Now Ten Hag will have to go there with as close to a preferred XI as he possibly can – fitness permitting – three days before they meet Brighton at Wembley.
Something may have to give if the injuries do not clear up – there are currently seven – because United are looking at no free midweeks from now until the end of the campaign were they to progress against Sevilla. The rearranged fixture with Chelsea has yet to be scheduled and dependent on European fortunes.
How far these players can go in both cup competitions while simultaneously solidifying a top-four spot in the Premier League remains to be seen.
