Manchester Utd were dumped out of the Europa League on Sunday as Sevilla came from a goal behind to win the semi-final 2-1.
Manchester United started on the front foot, with Marcus Rashford winning an early penalty after a reckless challenge from Diego Carlos. It was their 22nd penalty of the season – an unbelievable statistic – and one that Bruno Fernandes dispatched with style; a hop, a skip and a pass into the top left corner to give United an early lead.
United’s defence was not able to withstand the Sevilla pressure for long, though, as left-back Sergio Reguilon played a simple cross along the ground in the 26′ minute. Maguire was caught wrong-sided, and Brandon William’s failure to mark his man gave Suso a free shot at goal, and he smashed home past De Gea to level the scores.
The second half began with a flurry of United chances. However, Sevilla goalkeeper Bono was in inspired form. He kept out shots from Greenwood and Martial, whilst efforts from Rashford and Fernandes were also blocked. The Red Devils seemed to be well on top.
Yet their defence was not up to scratch at all. In the 76′ minute, after an impressive defensive performance, the Spaniards found their rhythm. Jesus Navas was given far to much time on the right wing, and neither Williams nor Maguire did anywhere near enough to cut out the cross. And, when the ball was delivered, Luuk De Jong was the only Sevilla man in the box, but he wasn’t marked. Wan-Bissaka and Lindelöf were caught napping, and the striker hit home to send them through.
Whilst United will feel that they may have had a penalty for a strong challenge on Fernandes, they really did not do enough defensively to warrant a place in the final. Sevilla won the tie (they have now won 35 out of their last 36 Europa League ties) by putting in hard graft at the back, and poor performances from the entire United defence – especially Williams and Maguire – cost Solskjær a chance at his first trophy.
Sevilla will face either Inter or Shaktar in the final on Friday, and my money’s on them winning the trophy (which is essentially Sevilla property at this point).
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