Late Red Devils own goal sees Sevilla comeback-Europa League Clash

Man Utd throws away lead as Harry Maguire’s own goal sees Sevilla comeback – 6 talking points

Manchester United drew 2-2 with Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash at Old Trafford, with Marcel Sabitzer scoring a first-half brace before the Red Devils conceded two own goals.

United are still chasing three trophies this season, with Erik ten Hag’s side due to meet Brighton in the FA Cup semi-finals later this month after winning the League Cup in February. They will, however, need to win in Sevilla to advance to the Europa League semi-finals after blowing a 2-0 lead.

It was an impressive performance from United in the first half, who was not fazed by the absence of injured talisman Marcus Rashford, but they failed to make their dominance count and Sevilla got back into the game with Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire both putting the ball into their own net. Here are all the talking points…

1. Sabitzer presses the case for a permanent move

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Sabitzer has impressed since joining Manchester United on loan midway through the season. The 29-year-old started in central midfield but has been moved further forward in United’s last three games as the club has struggled for creativity without Christian Eriksen.

Bruno Fernandes has dropped deeper to compensate for Eriksen’s absence, with Sabitzer playing in the no.10 position. And he has delivered, assisted Rashford’s winner against Brentford, and now scoring twice against Sevilla.

Although Eriksen may be able to return to the starting lineup now that he has recovered from his ankle injury, Sabitzer’s performances will make it tough for Ten Hag to drop him and may urge the Dutchman to try to make his loan move permanent in the summer.

Sabitzer has spoken highly of his time at United so far and is eager to continue, telling BILD earlier this week: “Of course, my thoughts are on Manchester United, especially with Erik ten Hag’s trust – it’s very positive.” I’ve found a home here. Now that I’ve seen the Premier League, I can say there’s nothing finer.”

2. Martial impresses in Rashford’s absence

Ten Hag turned to Martial to lead the line in United’s first game without top scorer Rashford, who has 28 goals in all competitions but is now out with a muscle injury.

Ten Hag gave the Frenchman his first start since January, saying in his pre-game news conference, “When he’s in the team, we play our best football.” The numbers show that the time he needs to score a goal is significantly reduced while he is on the field.”

While Sabitzer scored the goals, Martial was instrumental in both of them, most notably assisting the second after taking up the ball in his own half, moving forward, and then finding his teammate’s run with a pass.

3. Fernandes to miss the second leg

Fernandes was severely penalized for handball after the ball struck his arm as he dove in on the edge of the area to block an effort from Nemanja Gudelj.

The yellow card means he’ll miss the second leg next week, and legendary United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was enraged by referee Felix Zwayer’s decision to book Fernandes. “That’s not a yellow card,” he explained to BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Fernandes threw himself at the ball, but where should his hand go?” I agree with the free kick, but that is far from a yellow card.”

4. Sancho lacks confidence

Jadon Sancho has failed to hit the same heights for United as he did for Borussia Dortmund since making a £73m move in 2021. The winger has made just seven goal contributions in 28 appearances in all competitions this season and has not scored since February.

He did think he had given United the lead after just 25 seconds, but the goal was ultimately ruled out for offside and Schmeichel was not impressed with the winger’s performance. “Sancho has got to do better,” he told 5 Live.

“He is just not focusing well and concentrating enough. We’ve seen him take on players earlier on in the season, I don’t know if it is a lack of confidence. The manager believes him and is giving him opportunities, he has managed him individually so I don’t know why he should be lacking confidence.”

5. Horror own goals

Sevilla re-entered the game after drawing level late on, thanks to own goals from Malacia and Maguire. United failed to clear a cross effectively, allowing Malacia to let the ball pass to former Manchester City player Jesus Navas, who then redirected his shot past David de Gea.

Youssef En-Nesyri powered a header toward a goal that took an unintended deflection off Maguire and caught De Gea off guard in additional time. Robbie Savage ripped into Malacia for his “terrible” mistake on the first goal in particular.

“Malacia switches off,” Savage said as a BT Sport commentator. “He leaves it thinking it is going out, it’s some terrible defending.”

6. Varane and Martinez injured

Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez were also injured, compounding United’s woes. This season, the pair have been key to United’s progress under Ten Hag, and Martinez’s injury has been particularly troubling.

The center-back went down with no one around him, and because United had used all of their substitutes at the time, they were reduced to ten men when Sevilla equalized.

And if United are missing the suspended Fernandes, Rashford, and their first-choice center-back combination for the return leg next week, Sevilla will be looking for a way to beat them and knock them out of the competition.