Sevilla coach Jose Luis Mendilibar admits a ‘very fast’ Manchester United start stunned his side during Thursday’s dramatic 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
It’s never simple, is it.
When Marcel Sabitzer doubled his and United’s tally midway through the first-half, you could be forgiven for wondering if this was the day when Erik ten Hag’s side finally cut loose. Producing a scoreline to reflect their dominance.
An hour or so later, a pair of late own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire suddenly leave Man United needing a result in the court of the Europa League kings next week in Andalusia.
And the likelihood is that they will have to do so without Lisandro Martinez; arguably United’s Player of the Season suffering an injury which, while seemingly not quite as serious as first feared, still represents a colossal boost ahead of a make-or-break string of fixtures.
Manchester United thraw away a lead to draw with Sevilla at Old Trafford
Mendilibar, meanwhile, was proud of the way his dogged Sevilla side responded. Even if their comeback possibly had more to do with Man United leaving the door wide open rather than Sevilla picking the lock.
“The start was bad,” Mendilibar, who recently succeeded Jorge Sampaoli at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, tells Estadio Deportivo.
“They came out very strong and very fast. We were out of place. We left gaps between the lines, and they were difficult to cover. When we solved the problem, we were better, with (Ivan) Rakitic pressing up and closing the gaps better.”
It wasn’t all bad, at least.
Anthony Martial, making his first start in three months, was slicker than a dolphin’s back at centre-forward, setting up Sabitzer’s second with a fabulous assist. The ever-improving Antony, meanwhile, produced one of his most complete performances in United red; the width of the post away from another sumptuous European goal.
Ten Hag, meanwhile, improved the mood to some extent at full time. Marcus Rashford, the Dutchman says, may have a ‘chance’ of featuring in the return leg next week.
“There is a chance,” Ten Hag admits. “But I can’t confirm it in this moment.”
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