Europa League

ERIK TEN HAG slammed his Manchester United flops for showing a lack of fight and letting the fans down.The Red Devils completely collapsed in Sevilla, going down 3-0 to lose their Europa League quarter-final tie 5-2 on aggregate.
The Red Devils show their dejection after a shocking 3-0 defeat and exitCredit: PA
Erik ten Hag admits the worst thing about Utd’s display was the lack of fightCredit: Reuters
Ten Hag said: “We have to face it that we let ourselves down and let the fans down and if you want to win trophies if you want to be successful you need character.
“Tonight was not good enough it was obvious, it was clear, we didn’t match the standards you can expect from a team from Manchester United.”
Ten Hag was asked if the most disappointing thing was the lack of fight in his team.
He said: “I have to acknowledge, it is the truth, it is hard, it is tough. It can’t be, it is unacceptable.
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“We have to start games better with more desire and when you get a setback you have to deal with it and carry on
“We have to be better and it is not about playing skills, it is about character and being composed and have desire and passion.
“We lost the battles, they had more passion, more desire, more willingness.
“It can’t be and I think it is unacceptable.
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“We can’t run away from it.
“This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something and we gave it away – we have to blame ourselves. It’s gone, we can’t change it.”
United were behind when Harry Maguire lost possession and Youssef En-Nesri pounced after seven minutes.
The lead was extended two minutes after the break through Loic Bade before a David de Gea blunder as he miscontrolled the ball allowed En-Nesri a second on 81 minutes.
Ten Hag jumped to De Gea’s defence.
He said: “He is the one with the most clean sheets in the Premier League so it shows he is a very capable keeper.”
Now Ten Hag has a job on his hands to lift his players for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton.
He said: “I had this question many times after City after Liverpool after Brentford and every time we bounce back and in that perspective we have character.
“We have very strong mental skills and in some occasions we are there but we have to accept now this is unacceptable.
“Everyone can see the demands and standards have to be higher.

“Against Nottingham Forest last Sunday we were composed we had the desire and here we didn’t have what you can expect from a player and a team from Manchester United.
“We need to do it consistently. Too often we have really poor performances and it can’t be.” More

FOOTIE fans likened a goalmouth scramble in Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Sevilla to ‘Sunday league’ football.The Red Devils travelled to the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan stadium on Thursday night looking to progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.

A wild goalmouth scrambled took place on the Manchester United goal line in the second half of their clash with SevillaCredit: BT SPORT
The Red Devils had Diogo Dalot to thank for them not going down three downCredit: GETTY
But they were under the cosh for large portions of the second leg of their quarter-final tie – which they ended up losing 5-2 on aggregate.
And a scramble in front of David de Gea’s goal in the 51st minute epitomised how badly United defended on the night.
A blocked header from Youssef En-Nesyri sparked pandemonium inside United’s six-yard box – with Lucas Ocampos having a shot blocked on the line.
Two more Sevilla players dived in to try and bundle the ball home but were met with fierce resistance on the line from Diogo Dalot.
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And United eventually managed to clear their lines through Casemiro – although it wasn’t long before they were back under pressure.
Fans watching the game couldn’t quite believe their eyes, with one saying: “What an absolute shambles.”
Another said: “Shocking, Sunday league stuff!”
One remarked: “Defence filled with clowns who look like they are playing footie for the first time in their entire lives!”
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Another chimed in: “Sunday League rags.”
Former Red Devils midfielder and commentator for the night Robbie Savage was equally as baffled, asking: “What on earth is going on.- with this Manchester United?”
Sevilla ran out 3-0 winners on the night thanks to a brace from En-Nesyri and a strike from Loic Balde.
Manager Erik ten Hag said after the match: “We have to do better, that’s the demand. We were not composed, not calm.
“We didn’t beat the press, when you do there are so many spaces behind, and it was obvious at the start how to do it.
“We lost the battles, they had more passion, more desire, more willingness, that’s difficult to win games.
Erik ten Hag slammed his player’s lacklustre display at the Ramon Sanchez PijuanCredit: REUTERS
“We can’t run away from it. On Sunday we have another opportunity and have to step up and show more character and personality.
“It’s not about them [the players they were missing], it’s about the players on the pitch.
“They have to perform, I believe in them and trust them but they have to show it and they were not good enough.
“We have shown on so many occasions good things but tonight we weren’t ready for the game.
“At this level, playing for Manchester United, you have to be ready for every game.
“This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something and we gave it away – we have to blame ourselves. It’s gone, we can’t change it.

“We have to look forward to Sunday, that’s the next opportunity.”
Manchester United will be back in action on Sunday, travelling to Wembley to take on Brighton in their FA Cup semi-final tie. More

MANCHESTER UNITED saw their cup treble dreams fizzle out with a whimper after a shocking display against Sevilla. Following the collapse at Old Trafford United needed to start the second leg well to stand a chance of going through against the Europa League specialists.
Manchester United produced a disaster class in handling a European tieCredit: Getty
However, a combined calamity from David de Gea and Harry Maguire put paid to that as Maguire gifted the ball for Youssef En-Nesyri’s opener inside eight minutes.
The second half started no better, with Casemiro losing his man at a corner as an effort deflected off Loic Bade’s shoulder and looped over De Gea.
De Gea then rushed out his goal to try and sweep away the danger of a Sevilla long ball, but misjudged it and gifted the ball to En-Nesyri to score his second of the night in an open net.
It was a match also summed up by a complete lack of effort and desire to win second battles, as they were outfought and outmatched by the La Liga side.
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Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Red Devils.
David de Gea – 2
David de Gea and Harry Maguire summed up a miserable evening for the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
Played a hospital pass to Maguire for Sevilla’s opener and looked unsettled at times later on in the half. Robbie Savage planted blame for the looping second goal at his doorstep.
Only De Gea knows what he was trying to do as he rushed out for the third goal, which sums up the grievances many United fans have with the Spaniard.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 5
How this match could have been different if De Gea passed to him in the eighth minute. Wan-Bissaka was dependable enough when progressing the ball upfield.
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Shifted to left-back in the latter stages of the first half and was then hooked by Ten Hag at half-time.
Harry Maguire – 3
Shocking error to gift Sevilla the lead after just eight minutes. Inexplicably called for the ball before trying a blind pass to Wan-Bissaka under pressure.
Guilty of giving the ball away on a number of occasions later on as well. Two horror European legs to forget for him.
Victor Lindelof – 6
A steady-eddie as his defensive partner seemed to implode next to him.
Competent enough on the ball and won enough defensive duels when challenged. Unspectacular night for the Swede but did his job on the whole.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Once again deputising at left-back in the absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia but was shifted back to the right side late in the first half.
Blocked two shots on the line in a goalmouth scramble early in the second half.
Casemiro – 4
Casemiro was far from his bestCredit: Reuters
A ghost of the player seen for much of the season tonight. Often guilty of not plugging gaps in midfield well enough and also sloppy on the ball at times.
Lost his man for the corner at the start of the second half. Booked later in the half so would have missed the semi-final first leg.
Christian Eriksen – 4
Unable to help United control the midfield for much of the game and struggled in the frantic nature it.
Poor display from the Dane before being subbed off in the 86th minute.
Marcel Sabitzer – 5
Like Eriksen unable to really grab hold of the midfield battle and dictate tempo.
Up for the fight but lacked the passes in behind he thrived off last week.
Antony – 6
Only United player who looked they had a modicum of desire in the first half. However, the final ball was unable to find target whenever a chance presented itself – not that there were many.
Less able to make an impact in the second half.
Jadon Sancho – 3
BT Sport’s Paul Scholes slammed Sancho’s opening actions in the game as “terrible” and unfortunately that’s all the chance he was given by Ten Hag after being hooked at half-time.
Even forgetting the lack of quality on show, Sancho’s desire left a lot to be questioned, particularly given Antony’s work rate on the opposite flank.
Anthony Martial – 5
Anthony Martial went off injuredCredit: Getty
Limped off injured once again and is set for a return to the club’s medical room.
Not his best night even prior to the injury. Struggled to get involved and link with his fellow attackers.
Substitutes
Marcus Rashford (On for Sancho 46mins) – 6
Returned from injury and was able to offer something to in behind or out wide. However, didn’t look his sharpest and was unable to lift the team as much as they needed.
Luke Shaw (On for Wan-Bissaka 46mins) – 5
Came on following an injury and played like it. Passing range was off-key all over the pitch.
Wout Weghorst (On for Martial 54mins) – 5
Once again put in the hard yards in the final third but as always showed a lack of cutting edge.

Fred (On for Sabitzer 68mins) – 5
Came on to add energy but with couldn’t offer the lift needed to turn the tie around.
Anthony Elanga (On for Eriksen 86mins) – N/A
Saved the embarrassment of being associated with his team-mates for most of the night and actually worked the Sevilla goalkeeper in his brief cameo. More

THIS WAS A CALAMITY completely of Manchester United’s own making.It is one captain Harry Maguire will want to forget in a hurry too.
Man United have been knocked out of the Europa League by SevillaCredit: Getty
Youssef En-Nesyri opened the scoring for SevillaCredit: Reuters
He capitalised on a mistake from Harry Maguire and David De GeaCredit: Reuters
Anthony Martial suffered an injury during the matchCredit: Getty
Loic Bade made it 2-0 at the start of the second halfCredit: AFP
His improvised finish looped over De GeaCredit: Reuters
Unfortunately his contribution to the tie is more likely to result in a permanent reminder with a statue of him outside the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
An own goal in the first leg and a blunder in the second from the England international has handed Sevilla a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League and ended the Red Devils’ cup treble dreams.
After lifting the Carabao Cup with Bruno Fernandes at Wembley Maguire wanted his hands on more silverware.
It can only be the FA Cup as well now and United need to pick themselves up very quickly for Sunday’s semi-final against Brighton which is far from a certainty if this is anything to go by.
Maguire was not the only one at fault. David de Gea had a nightmare too. In fact nobody who boards the plane straight to London tonight in preparation for Sunday can do so with their heads held high.
They had this tie in the palm of their hands when Marcel Sabitzer scored twice inside the first 21 minutes at Old Trafford last week and blew it.
Manager Erik ten Hag was culpable of believing the job was done when he made too many substitutions in the second period of that first tie and his team lost their discipline and shape.
Own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Maguire late on left the tie level going into this return and a rejuvenated Sevilla looked well up to finish the job.
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The atmosphere inside the stadium was fantastic and the Sevilla players responded while United just wilted.
They were behind after just seven minutes.
Why on earth do United persist with trying to play the ball out from the back?
Their neighbours in the blue half of Manchester can do it with ease.
In the red half the ball is like a grenade with the pin out the way they nervously try to pass it about before someone gives up on the plan and launches it anyway.
Sevilla know it is an Achilles heel of their’s, every side does.
So when David De Gea passed to Harry Maguire three Sevilla players were on him and control was wrestled away by Erik Lamela.
The ball ran loose to Youssef En-Nesyri who fired home.
The place was jumping and the noise was deafening when it looked like Sevilla had second on 39 minutes before VAR riled out Lucas Ocampos goal for an offside in the build up.
United off the hook, but only temporarily.
The problem was they simply did not look like scoring themselves.
Not surprisingly Ten Hag made changes at the break with the fit again Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw brought on in place of Jadon Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
But things quickly got worse just two minutes into the second-half.
From Ivan Rakitic’s corner Loic Bade’s attempted header looped up off his shoulder over De Gea and in off the underside of the bar.
Sevilla were dominant, United all over the place.
Rakitic had a shot which De Gea palmed away unconvincingly and from the resulting corner a scramble in the six yard box almost saw the ball forced past the United goalkeeper again.
You knew things were getting desperate when Ten Hag then had to turn to on loan Wout Weghorst for a route back into the game.
Martial limped off injured, again.
The manager didn’t even bother with a handshake as the completely ineffectual Frenchman took his place on the bench.
Ten Hag says United are better when Martial plays, they aren’t.
He offered absolutely nothing here.
No doubt he’ll be out for a few more weeks with whatever it is this time. It doesn’t really matter.
Sevilla had him here on loan last season and witnessed his lack of threat at first hand as he returned one goal in 12 appearances.
Not surprisingly they didn’t want to make the move permanent.
If United want to go places next season they need a striker at the top of his game to help Rashford out with the goalscoring duties.
This was a performance that reminded us of the bad old days from last season and the opening two games of this.
Listless and lacking ideas with their finger’s constantly hovering above the self destruct button.
It was pressed again to complete an awful night in the 81st minute.
De Gea came out of his area to meet a hopeful punt upfield but completely miscontrolled the ball allowing En-Nesyri to fire past him into an unguarded goal.
ACDC’s Highway to Hell was the song that revved the crowd up before kick off.
Having seemingly turned the corner under Ten Hag this tie had United back on it.
It was a humiliation.

A journey to Wembley on Sunday offers some salvation.
Brighton, fresh from victory away to Chelsea last weekend, will not be quaking in their boots. More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are fuming with David De Gea’s performance in the Europa League quarter-final.The Red Devils were outclassed by their Spanish opponents, but De Gea has been at fault for three goals.

David De Gea was at fault for Sevilla’s goal
His error gifted Youssef En-Nesyri an open goal
A chance that he did not pass up
For the first goal, he and Harry Maguire got into a mix-up which allowed Youssef En-Nesyri to open the scoring in the 8th minute.
De Gea was then beaten by a looping header from Loic Bade just after the second half started, in which Robbie Savage claimed he could have done better.
He then followed this up with some bad control allowing the Moroccan striker to net his second of the game in the 92nd minute.
And supporters were left fuming with the goalkeeper, with some demanding he be left in Spain and not allowed to fly back with the team.
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One fan tweeted: “Leave Sancho, De Gea & Maguire in Seville.”
A second said: “Is De Gea playing in flippers?”
A third commented: “You cannot, you just CANNOT defend De Gea and Maguire anymore! This is unacceptable! De Gea “has” been a legend for this club, but in no way he should be given a new contract.
“And Harry Maguire needs to be thrown out of the club! The season is crumbling down!!”
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While a fourth said: “De Gea with a huge mistake before Sevilla goal.”
A fifth added: “Maguire and De Gea fighting for the biggest clown title.”
A sixth supporter declared: “If Ten Hag approves of De Gea signing a new contract after tonight, I will slap his bald head if I ever get the chance.”
The errors led to Man United exiting from the competition 5-2 on aggregate.
The disaster class by De Gea will lessen his bargaining position over his new contract with the club, with fans saying to take the offer of the table.
The Spaniard’s deal at Old Trafford runs out in June, and he would be free to leave the club for nothing if not agreement is signed. More