SEVEN Manchester United rejects will be in the Europa League semi-finals while the Red Devils are left licking their wounds over their Sevilla humiliation.
Erik ten Hag’s side crashed out of Europe on Thursday night following a desperate capitulation in Spain.
Having taken a 2-0 lead in the first-half of the first-leg, United completely unravelled and lost 5-2 on aggregate.
Despite their exit, fans can watch still watch six players and one manager once associated with their club in the final four of the Europa League.
In fact there is at least one former United star at every semi-final club after Roma got past Feyenoord, Bayer Leverkusen hammered Union Saint-Gilloise and Juventus edged out Sporting Lisbon.
Juventus take on Sevilla in the first semi while Roma also take on Leverkusen.
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SunSport has looked at all of the former United aces who have gone further in Europe this season than their ex-club.
Jose Mourinho
Few fans will forget Jose Mourinho’s two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford.
While the ex-Chelsea boss brought silverware, he also brought controversy and a brand of football that rubbed many fans up the wrong way.
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He has been a far better fit for Roma who are revelling in back-to-back European semis.
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The Italian giant won the Europa Conference League last season and are good bets for a top four finish in Serie A this time out, even with Juventus’ point penalty being suspended.
If Mourinho takes Roma all the way in Europe again, it will be his first Europa League win since winning it with United in 2017.
Angel Di Maria
For whatever reason, Angel Di Maria at United never quite worked.
After one awkward season, he left for PSG before eventually moving to Juventus last season.
The 35-year-old may have lost some pace but has lost little of his technical ability or guile in front of goal.
He will be looking to cause Sevilla all types of problems in the semi-finals.
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba left United last summer after six up and down years at Old Trafford.
But his return to Juventus has not gone to plan with injuries limiting the 30-year-old to just five appearances all season long.
He came off the bench for Thursday night’s tricky 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon and will be hoping to be more involved in the first team by the time the semi-final comes round.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah
Timothy Fosu-Mensah made 30 appearances over five years for Man Utd as he desperately tried to prove he could cut it at Old Trafford.
But he was sold to Bayer Leverkusen – who are now looking to get past Roma – in 2021.
Squad player Fosu-Mensah was left on the bench for Thursday’s win at Union Saint Gilloise and the 25-year-old defender has only made one appearance in the knockout stages so far.
Alex Telles
On loan at Sevilla, Alex Telles came off the bench against his parent club to help the Spanish side coast to victory.
The left-back has been a regular starter for Sevilla since moving in August.
And with his United contract expiring next summer, Ten Hag may have a decision to make on his future.
Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling largely failed to convince for much of his decade in Manchester.
But the 33-year-old is enjoying a second wind in Rome and he has become Mourinho’s main enforcer at the back.
Smalling started both legs against Feyenoord as he bids for his first European medal since 2017.
Nemanja Matic
Like his manager, Mourinho, Nemanja Matic had two spells at Chelsea before joining Man Utd and then ending up in Rome.
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Now 34, the Serbian continues to screen the defence and is normally first-choice in midfield.
He is among Mourinho’s key components in keeping a tight defence.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
