Bruno: Sevilla second leg is a great opportunity

Friday 14 April 2023 10:38

Bruno Fernandes says that players who have not featured as much this term will have an opportunity to shine, when United head to Seville for the second leg of our Europa League quarter-final next week.

Our 2-2 draw in Thursday's first leg at Old Trafford means the tie remains in the balance, but Erik ten Hag must contend with a lengthening injury list and the suspension of his no.8 ahead of the tie's conclusion in Spain.

Following the draw with Sevilla – which saw Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane both go off injured – Bruno spoke to BT Sport about the reverse fixture in Andalusia.

Reds suffer Bruno blow for second leg v Sevilla

 Article

Why United's captain for the first leg, Fernandes, will miss the return match in Spain.

“We have great qualities on the team [and players] that are ready to do their job,” he said. “Everyone that has not been playing a lot wants to play and if some of those players will not be there – in my case I will not be there – they will have the chance to show themselves and we all believe that the group has great qualities to go there and win the game, whoever plays in the first XI or not.

“We conceded two goals in the last few minutes and we give, a little bit, the game away. But we still have another game to play and the game is still open.

“It's like a 0-0 because now the goals away from home doesn't count, so we have to go there and do our job again.”

Bruno received a harsh yellow card in the first half, after the Portugal international flung himself to thwart a shot from distance and the ball struck his arm, meaning he is ruled out of next week's second leg.

Erik ten Hag is also awaiting updates on the fitness of Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford, who were all absent from Thursday's squad.

Facundo Pellistri, Anthony Elanga and Wout Weghorst all joined the action against Sevilla from the bench, while Anthony Martial made only his second appearance in the Europa League this season when he started at Old Trafford.

The boss could give an update on the shape of his squad when he conducts his pre-match press conference today (Friday, 12:00 BST), ahead of Sunday's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest (16:30 BST).

Recommended: