Manchester United 2, Sevilla 2 (Europa League Quarter Final First Leg)
Manchester United were held to an unlikely draw by Sevilla after going down to ten men due to injury to Lisandro Martinez.
The Reds will already be without the suspended Bruno Fernandes in the second leg in Seville but they also suffered a late injury to Lisandro Martinez who had to be carried off the pitch by two Sevilla players after going down off the ball.
Marcel Sabitzer had scored twice and United were cruising until Tyrell Malacia deflected a Jesus Navas cross past David De Gea.
Harry Maguire had already replaced the injury prone Raphael Varane at half time – but the Reds had already used up all their substitutions when Martinez had to be stretchered down the tunnel just before the 90th minute.
And two minutes into six minutes of injury time the luckless Maguire headed Youssef En-Nesyri’s wide effort past De Gea to make United’s season a lot harder than it looked at the start of the game.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 2, Sevilla 2 (Europa League Quarter Final First Leg)
David De Gea: 7. Great save to deny Tanguy Nianzou and late in the game from Youssef En-Nesyri. Could do nothing about the own goals.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 7. Solid in defence and good rapport with Antony.
Raphael Varane: 6. Headed clear the danger at the end of the first half but was taken off at half time after going down earlier in the half.
Lisandro Martinez: 7. Relatively busy night for him marred by an injury which left United with ten men.
Tyrell Malacia: 6. His side saw a fair bit of action, had his work cut out for him. Had a shot blocked by Gonzalo Montiel but also unlucky to concede an own goal .
Casemiro: 7. United have missed his calm presence in midfield. He had a couple of chances to score too. Had to fill in at centre half when Lisandro Martinez went off injured.
Marcel Sabitzer: 8. Two great goals to settle United nerves early on.
Bruno Fernandes: 7. Great through ball from deep midfield to release Marcel Sabitzer for the first goal. Will miss the next match after a booking for handball.
Antony: 7. Went close with several shots. Looked dangerous and hit the woodwork with his best chance.
Jadon Sancho: 7. Well involved and took on players.
Anthony Martial: 7. Superb through ball for Marcel Sabitzer’s second goal.
Harry Maguire (on for Raphael Varane, 46): 6. Only up against an average Sevilla attack but very unlucky to concede the equaliser off his own head when defending Youssef En-Nesyri’s header.
Wout Weghorst (on for Anthony Martial, 62): 6. Local hero hailed again for his tireless closing down, almost won the ball off Yassine Bounou when he was trying to build up from the back.
Christian Eriksen (on for Bruno Fernandes, 62): 6. More valuable minutes on his road back to match fitness – almost accidentally set up Wout Weghorst when a ball came off him and rebounded to the Dutchman.
Anthony Elanga (on for Jadon Sancho, 62): 6. A bit marooned on the left flank after coming on but showed some nice touches.
Facundo Pellistri (on for Antony, 81): No time to mark.
GOALS – Manchester United 2, Sevilla 2 (Europa League Quarter Final First Leg)
Man Utd 1, Sevilla 0: 14. Casemiro fed the ball to Bruno Fernandes whose precision pass released Marcel Sabitzer – a quick turn and left footed shot from 15 yards beat Yassine Bounou.
Man Utd 2, Sevilla 0: 21. Marcel Sabitzer with another 15 yard left footed drive after Anthony Martial’s clever through ball sent the midfielder through for another goal.
Man Utd 2, Sevilla 1: 84. Tyrell Malacia’s own goal, deflecting Jesus Navas’ cross past David De Gea, brought Sevilla back into the game
Man Utd 2, Sevilla 2: 90+2. Harry Maguire deflected Youssef En-Nesyri’s header past De Gea who was wrongfooted
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 2, Sevilla 2 (Europa League Quarter Final First Leg)
Man Utd: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane (Maguire 46), Lisandro Martinez, Malacia, Casemiro, Sabitzer, Fernandes (Eriksen 62), Antony (Pellistri 81), Sancho (Elanga 62), Martial (Weghorst 62)
Man Utd Subs not used: Butland, Vitek, Lindelof, Fred, Dalot, Iqbal
Bookings: Fernandes 41 (handball); Pellistri 89 (foul)
Goals: Sabitzer 14, 21
Sevilla: Bounou, Montiel, Nianzou (Suso 77), Marcao, Acuna, Fernando, Gudelj, Ocampos, Rakitic, Torres (Navas 46), Lamela (En-Nesyri 67)
Sevilla Subs not used: Dmitrovic, Flores, Telles, Rekik, Mir, Gomez, Gil, Bade
Booked: Montiel 11 (throwing the ball away); Rakitic 25 (foul on Casemiro); Lamela 38 (bad foul on Casemiro); Gudelj 56 (dangerously high boot against Casemiro); Acuna 72 (foul on Antony)
Referee: Felix Zwayer