Europa League

ERIK TEN HAG has not got much wrong since he came to Manchester United.This was another matter.
Two late own-goals from Man Utd blew their Europa League tie against Sevilla wide openCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
United were cruising through Marcel Sabitzer’s double before a late meltdownCredit: Reuters
The Spaniards will be feeling confident ahead of next week’s return legCredit: Getty
With his team in charge he made four unforced substitutions during the second-half.
The players who came on, bar Christian Eriksen, were simply not as good as those who went off.
And from dominating with two Marcel Sabitzer goals inside the first 21 minutes, they ended up level and all over the place.
Jesus Navas, ex of Manchester City, drove in a cross on 84 minutes that deflected off Tyrell Malacia and David De Gea at the near post and went in.
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Then in injury time it was Harry Maguire’s turn to put the ball in at the wrong end as Youssef En-Nesri’s header bounced off him and past De Gea.
The travelling faithful went mad, the rest of Old Trafford was dumbstruck.
It had all started so well.
Sabitzer is just on-loan at Manchester United.
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Sabitzer needed just 14 minutes to get off the markCredit: Reuters
The ace smashed one home to boost the Old Trafford crowdCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
On the evidence of this first half the deal should be made permanent from Bayern Munich.
Ten Hag had called on Anthony Martial to step up to the plate with top scorer Marcus Rashford injured.
Instead it was 29-year-old Sabitzer with a couple of swings who looked like he had smashed Sevilla out the ball park.
His quick fire first half double had put Manchester United in charge of this Europa League quarter-final.
But a failure to find a third goal and a late lapse has left a semi-final place up for grabs as the Red Devils head to Spain next week.
Sabitzer’s opener came after 14 minutes.
Sabitzer made it 2-0 to United seven minutes laterCredit: Getty
The midfielder is showing Man Utd why they should make his loan from Bayern Munich permanentCredit: Getty
Martial had more movement about him than we have seen for some seasons in this his first start back since injury.
What a turn he did on the sideline to attract three Sevilla players before laying the ball off to Jadon Sancho.
He found Casemiro, who was back and buzzing after his four game suspension.
The Brazilian laid it off for Bruno Fernandes to slide a ball through and Austrian international Sabitzer’s shot looped over the goalkeeper with the help of a slight defelection.
Strike two followed on 21 minutes with the lively Martial slotting the ball through this time for Sabitzer who finished with the look of a seasoned striker.
Sabitzer scored as many goals in a seven minutes here as he did in 54 games at Bayern Munich.
Erik Lamela was lucky to escape a red card for an apparent stamp on CasemiroCredit: ESPN
Bruno Fernandes will miss the second leg after picking up a yellow cardCredit: Getty
In fact for club and country it is now five in six games, having opened his United account against Fulham in the FA Cup and scoring two for Austria against Azerbaijan in the recent international break.
Sabitzer has been moved up field in the last three games in a tactical tweak that has paid dividends.
Bruno Fernandes in turn has dropped deeper to dictate play in a quarter-back role.
He had called on Antony before the game to start giving more claiming ‘he can kill opponents’. 
Sevilla’s Marcos Acuna was just dying for the game to end as he twisted, turned, fired and flicked.
Antony’s performances are getting better, and better for United.
Raphael Varane was forced off the pitch injuredCredit: AP
Lisandro Martinez was in tears as he was carried off late onCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
He was alive in the very first breaths of this game playing a great ball through for Jadon Sancho to score after just 15 seconds but he was offside.
Antony’s performance deserved a goal and he nearly got one too with a run and shot in the second half-that cannoned back off the inside of the far post.
This was a Sevilla side who despite their pedigree in the competitions were vulnerable and United knew it.
But did Ten Hag underestimate them with all the changes.
He warned his side they would be a danger after all they have lifted this trophy six times in the guise of the UEFA Cup and now Europa League.
The Spanish side also knocked United out the semi-finals of this competition in 2020 and the Champions League in 2018.
Sevilla pulled one back in the 84th minute after Tyrell Malacia’s own goalCredit: PA
Harry Maguire headed past David De Gea to make it 2-2 in the 92nd minuteCredit: Getty
Still it was a club who arrived here in disarray, now on it’s third coach this season and standing 13th in the table having looked like title challengers for a time in the last campaign before a late collapse.
On Friday they had surrendered a two goal lead in the last couple of minutes to draw 2-2 with Celta Vigo and had two players sent off.
Another could have seen red when Erik Lamela’s studs landed on Casemiro’s shin.
The VAR checked and stuck with the referees yellow.
Casemiro would be in the wars again in the second half when Nemanja Gudelj’s attempted overhead saw him kick the Brazilian in the face.
Another yellow.
United and the home crowd were left dumbstruck after the meltdownCredit: Reuters
The tie remains wide open in next week’s second leg in southern SpainCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
United had totally dominated the visitors in the first period up until injury time in that opening period when David De Gea had to make a fine save from Tanguy Nianzou’s header.
It was a warning.
With a packed schedule that will have taken them to Nottingham, Sevilla and Wembley by a week Sunday, Ten Hag made a triple change just past the hour.
Fernandes, Sancho and Martial all came off replaced by Wout Weghorst, Christian Eriksen and Anthony Elanga.
Harry Maguire had already come on at the break after Raphael Varane had got injured.
While Antony would go off to a great ovation with ten minutes to go to be replaced by Facundo Pellistri.
It was too many. The team completely lost its shape and lost control.
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Especially when Lisandro Martinez was carried injured off the pitch by two Sevilla players before breaking down in tears.
And United will also be without Bruno Fernandes for next week’s return leg through suspension after he picked up a yellow. More

WOJCIECH SZCZESNY was left in tears as he was subbed off for Juventus against Sporting after reportedly suffering heart palpitations.The former Arsenal goalkeeper took no chances as he started to feel chest pains and immediately called for a substitution.
Juventus’ stars tend to Wojciech Szczesny after he signaled a chest painCredit: AFP
Wojciech Szczesny puts his hand to his heart in worrying scenes
Former Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny was visibly distressed

Team-mate Manuel Locatelli was first on the scene when the Pole put his hand on his chest, and immediately alerted the medics.
Szczesny made a string of good saves to keep Juventus level against their Portuguese opponents in the first half.
But as a result of his chest issue he had to be replaced by Mattia Perin.
Thankfully, Juventus later sent out a brief tweet confirming that at first indication, the goalkeeper appears to be fine.
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The club wrote: “After a first check, everything is ok for Tek.”
And opponents Sporting tweeted “Força, Szczęsny”, or “stay strong”.
Goal Italia state that Szczesny reported an increased heart rate and shortage of breath when he came off.
After being substituted, he was immediately sent to the Juventus medical centre for checks, where the electrocardiogram result came back negative.
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Manuel Locatelli calls the bench after Wojciech Szczesny suffered from a chest painCredit: AFP
Wojciech Szczesny was subbed off in tears for JuventusCredit: Reuters
Locatelli and Cuadrado show their concern for SzczesnyCredit: AFP

Man Utd midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed during a European Championship game with his native DenmarkCredit: Getty
Former Man City star Sergio Aguero was forced to retire with cardiac arrythmiaCredit: Reuters
However, he is set to undergo further tests tomorrow.
Szczesny spent eight years at Arsenal, where he came through the academy, before spending two years on loan at Roma in 2015 and joining Juve permanently in 2017.
Football has been rocked by a number of heart scares in recent years.
In horrifying scenes, Christian Eriksen collapsed live on TV during a Euro 2020 clash against Finland.
The Dane was then forced to take time out of the game as Italian regulations did not permit him to play with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, which he had inserted following the incident.
He then rebuilt his career in a six-month spell at Brentford and is now thriving at Man Utd.
But Man City legend Sergio Aguero was forced to retire aged just 33
He was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia after being taken to hospital with breathing difficulties during a Barcelona game. More

ERIK LAMELA escaped a red card after appearing to stamp on Casemiro.The controversial incident occurred just before the break of Man United’s Europa League clash against Sevilla.
Erik Lamela escaped a red card after appearing to stamp on CasemiroCredit: EPA
Video replays suggested there was contact from LamelaCredit: ESPN

Casemiro, returning to the team after his domestic ban, was enjoying a top performance in midfield.
And he put his body on the line as he dived in to win a tackle despite ex-Tottenham star Lamela approaching quickly from the side.
Casemiro got to the ball first.
But Lamela failed to get out of the way and ended up clattering into the Brazilian, who was already on the ground.
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Casemiro writhed in agony as he grabbed his leg before rolling his sock down.
And furious United stars surrounded the ref claiming there had been more serious contact from Lamela, who had already been shown a yellow.
VAR quickly intervened as the stadium announcer confirmed a red card check.
Video replays appeared to show Lamela stamping on Casemiro as his foot came out.
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Casemiro was left in agony as Lamela escaped a sending offCredit: Reuters
But after several checks, VAR officials decided against sending off the Spurs loanee.
The decision left United fans incensed, with many feeling Casemiro would have been given a straight red if the shoe was on the other foot.
One said: “If Casemiro makes that foul on Lamela he gets a life sentence by the way.”
Another declared: “We all know if that Lamela tackle was the other way round Casemiro would be getting a straight red.”
One noted: “Anyway Casemiro would have gotten a red if he was the one that did that to Lamela.”
Another added: “Regarding that Lamela tackle on Casemiro; If the roles were reversed, Casemiro gets a straight red. No doubt.” More

TAMMY ABRAHAM was left writhing in agony after suffering a shoulder injury for Roma.The ex-Chelsea forward lined up for the Italians in their Europa League quarter-final clash against Feyenoord on Thursday.
Tammy Abraham was forced off with a shoulder injury in Roma’s clash at FeyenoordCredit: Getty
The ex-Chelsea star looked to be in great pain as he left the fieldCredit: AP
But things did not go according to plan for Abraham, 25, as he was forced off early in the second half.
Feyenoord took the lead against Jose Mourinho’s men in the 53rd minute.
And just five minutes later Abraham was felled after a crunching challenge.
The former Chelsea star landed on his shoulder in agonising scenes.
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And after some initial treatment, Abraham was eventually forced off the field while looking to be tremendous pain.
To make matters worse for Roma, the striker’s exit wasn’t even their first of the night.
Fellow star forward Paulo Dybala was also taken off injured after suffering a groin issue.
The Argentina ace, 29, lasted just 26 minutes in the Netherlands.
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Paulo Dybala came off injured earlier in the gameCredit: EPA
Dybala has an active release clause this summer worth just £10.5million.
And less than a year after joining Roma from Juventus for free, there could be fears Dybala may have played his last game for the club.
As for Abraham, he will be hoping his problem isn’t too serious after making a huge impact in the Italian capital.
The hitman has 34 goals in 93 games since his £34m move from Chelsea in 2021.
But 27 of those came last season, with Abraham only managing to score seven times this term.
He has been tipped for a Premier League return this summer, with former loan side Aston Villa linked.
And there could yet be a return to Chelsea, who are able to re-sign Abraham for £68m thanks to a buyback clause. More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are buzzing after Zidane Iqbal was spotted at Old Trafford ahead of the Sevilla clash.Some supporters have been calling on Erik ten Hag to give the yougnster a chance and it appears they have got their wish.
Zidane Iqbal was spotted on his way into Old Trafford ahead of the gameCredit: Getty
Iqbal was spotted on his way into Old Trafford ahead of the Europa League quarter-final tie.
And he looks set to be named in the matchday squad, possibly on the bench.
The 19-year-old made his debut against Young Boys in the Champions League last season.
That was under previous boss Ralf Rangnick, with Ten Hag yet to play Iqbal despite naming him in 14 matchday squads.

The midfielder was handed a start in United’s 4-2 friendly defeat to Cadiz in December, and impressed.
Fans praised Iqbal after he won a penalty and some called for him to be handed more first-team opportunities.
And they did the same after Iqbal performed well for Iraq during the international break last month.
Ten Hag will be without top goalscorer Marcus Rashford after he picked up a muscle injury during the 2-0 win at Everton.
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Luke Shaw is also expected to miss the first leg along with Alejandro Garnacho.
However, Ten Hag will be boosted by the return of Casemiro after his domestic suspension. The returns of Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial are also timely additions. More