Manchester United throw away a 2-0 lead against Sevilla


By Neo Poho

Manchester United were made to rue their missed chances as Spanish giants Sevilla came from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw in the UEFA Europa League 1st leg of the quarterfinals tie against Manchester United on Thursday night.

A beautiful brace from Austrian international, Marcel Sabitzer put Manchester in the lead as early as the 21st minute as the home side seemed to run rampant at a packed Old Trafford.

Having won their play-off against Barcelona and beaten Real Betis in the last-16, Erik ten Hag’s side appeared on course to knock out a third Spanish side in the Europa league,

With the two sides going to halftime with United in the ascendancy, Sevilla came fighting back after the interval through a Tyrell Malacia own goal and then their misery was compounded through another own goal from Harry Maguire. 

United also received a huge blow as Lisandro Martinez had to be carried off the Old Trafford pitch after sustaining what looked a serious injury in the encounter.

Martinez's World Cup winning Argentina international teammates Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna were both in the Sevilla team, and they carried him off the pitch to a warm applause from the home crowd.

Not only were United dealt with the injury of Martinez however, Bruno Fernandes will also not be available for the second leg of the tie due to suspension.

During his post match interview, Ten Hag described his frustration towards the draw, lamenting United should have won the match in the first half.

"We had the game in hand because we were 2-0 up and we should have scored three or even four goals as the game was totally on us, we had some unlucky moments with injuries and some substitutions with injuries like Raphael Varane at half-time.

"I believe we played the first half very good, a lot of belief, we scored two great goals and should have scored even more, we can do better in the last part of the game and I felt like we had to be more composed, we did not benefit from our counter opportunities and we were a little bit unlucky in the defending," Ten Hag said.

The two teams will now head to the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on the 20th of April for the second leg of the tie with the semi finals spot on the line.

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Football

Manchester United

Sevilla

UEFA Europa League

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