Manchester United 2 Sevilla 2
Manchester United were pegged back by Sevilla as the Europa League quarter-final first leg ended 2-2 at Old Trafford.
Marcel Sabitzer scored twice inside the opening 25 minutes of action, as Erik ten Hag's men went in at the break in a seemingly commanding position.
But the visitors were given a lifeline in the 85th minute when former Manchester City winger Jesus Navas pulled the ball back on the right and it deflected off Tyrell Malacia and then David De Gea to make the score 2-1.
Another freak goal, when Youssef En-Nesyri's header struck Harry Maguire and bounced beyond our no.1, levelled the score at the halfway point in the tie.
But the visitors were given a lifeline in the 85th minute when former Manchester City winger Jesus Navas pulled the ball back on the right and it deflected off Tyrell Malacia and then David De Gea to make the score 2-1.
Another freak goal, when Youssef En-Nesyri's header struck Harry Maguire and bounced beyond our no.1, levelled the score at the halfway point in the tie.
Who was United's Man of the Match?
ArticleThere was an overwhelming winner in the public vote, following our 2-2 draw with Sevilla.
FIRST HALF: SABITZER AT THE DOUBLE
United flew out of the blocks at the Theatre of Dreams and had the ball in the net inside the opening minute of action. Jadon Sancho latched on to a neat pass in behind from Antony and tucked the ball past Yassine Bounou, only for the offside flag to be raised seconds later.
The Reds continued to keep up our spell of attacking pressure, with Antony finding time and space in the area to fire a shot at goal that was saved well by Bounou.
With just over 15 minutes on the clock, United took the lead, as Bruno Fernandes' wonderfully timed pass fell perfectly to the feet of Marcel Sabitzer, who smashed home his second goal for the club to open the scoring in M16, via a slight deflection off Sevilla defender Marcao.
Just seven minutes later, our lead was extended to 2-0, with Sabitzer again adding the required finishing touch in front of goal. Anthony Martial's immaculate hold-up play and subsequent through ball fell to the feet of our no.15, who smashed home his second goal of the game.
Erik Lamela's late challenge on Casemiro warranted a lengthy VAR check for a red card, with referee Felix Zwayer's on-field decision of a yellow card eventually upheld.
Fernandes charged down Nemanja Gudelj's shot and harshly received a booking for handball in the 41st minute and will consequently miss the second leg in Spain next week.
United flew out of the blocks at the Theatre of Dreams and had the ball in the net inside the opening minute of action. Jadon Sancho latched on to a neat pass in behind from Antony and tucked the ball past Yassine Bounou, only for the offside flag to be raised seconds later.
The Reds continued to keep up our spell of attacking pressure, with Antony finding time and space in the area to fire a shot at goal that was saved well by Bounou.
With just over 15 minutes on the clock, United took the lead, as Bruno Fernandes' wonderfully timed pass fell perfectly to the feet of Marcel Sabitzer, who smashed home his second goal for the club to open the scoring in M16, via a slight deflection off Sevilla defender Marcao.
Just seven minutes later, our lead was extended to 2-0, with Sabitzer again adding the required finishing touch in front of goal. Anthony Martial's immaculate hold-up play and subsequent through ball fell to the feet of our no.15, who smashed home his second goal of the game.
Erik Lamela's late challenge on Casemiro warranted a lengthy VAR check for a red card, with referee Felix Zwayer's on-field decision of a yellow card eventually upheld.
Fernandes charged down Nemanja Gudelj's shot and harshly received a booking for handball in the 41st minute and will consequently miss the second leg in Spain next week.
SECOND HALF: SEVILLA DRAW LEVEL LATE ON
As the second half began, United had to withstand some advanced pressure from the visitors as they attempted to grab a foothold in the game.
Gudelj's acrobatic overhead kick soon earned him the next spot in the referee's book, after his flying boot connected with Casemiro inside the Reds' penalty area.
Antony was out to add another spectacular European goal to his tally as he charged forward on the hour mark, as we attacked the Stretford End. His superb curling effort cannoned back off the post, with the Brazilian just inches away from scoring our third on the night.
A swift move from Ten Hag's side down the left eventually led to the ball falling kindly to Tyrell Malacia, before our no.12's left-footed strike was blocked by Sevilla's Fernando.
With just five minutes remaining, the visitors grabbed themselves a lifeline through a freakish own goal. It was eventually credited to Malacia, after Jesus Navas' cross deflected off both Tyrell and De Gea before finding the net.
Lisandro Martinez then had to be withdrawn with what appeared to be a serious injury, inside an eventful final ten minutes of normal time at Old Trafford. Then the Rojiblancos drew level through another own goal.
Another cross from former Manchester City winger Navas was met in the air by forward En-Nesyri, with his header hitting Harry Maguire and then flashing past De Gea to level the tie at 2-2.
As the second half began, United had to withstand some advanced pressure from the visitors as they attempted to grab a foothold in the game.
Gudelj's acrobatic overhead kick soon earned him the next spot in the referee's book, after his flying boot connected with Casemiro inside the Reds' penalty area.
Antony was out to add another spectacular European goal to his tally as he charged forward on the hour mark, as we attacked the Stretford End. His superb curling effort cannoned back off the post, with the Brazilian just inches away from scoring our third on the night.
A swift move from Ten Hag's side down the left eventually led to the ball falling kindly to Tyrell Malacia, before our no.12's left-footed strike was blocked by Sevilla's Fernando.
With just five minutes remaining, the visitors grabbed themselves a lifeline through a freakish own goal. It was eventually credited to Malacia, after Jesus Navas' cross deflected off both Tyrell and De Gea before finding the net.
Lisandro Martinez then had to be withdrawn with what appeared to be a serious injury, inside an eventful final ten minutes of normal time at Old Trafford. Then the Rojiblancos drew level through another own goal.
Another cross from former Manchester City winger Navas was met in the air by forward En-Nesyri, with his header hitting Harry Maguire and then flashing past De Gea to level the tie at 2-2.
MATCH DETAILS
United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Martinez, Varane (Maguire, 45), Malacia; Casemiro, Fernandes (Eriksen, 62); Antony (Pellistri, 81), Sabitzer, Sancho (Elanga, 62); Martial (Weghorst, 62).
United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Martinez, Varane (Maguire, 45), Malacia; Casemiro, Fernandes (Eriksen, 62); Antony (Pellistri, 81), Sabitzer, Sancho (Elanga, 62); Martial (Weghorst, 62).
Subs not used: Butland, Vitek, Dalot, Lindelof, Fred, Iqbal.
Booked: Fernandes, Antony, Pellistri.
Goals: Sabitzer 14, 21.
Sevilla: Bounou; Montiel (Gomez, 90), Nianzou (Suso, 73), Marcao, Acuna; Fernando, Gudelj; Ocampos, Rakitic, Oliver Torres (Navas, 45); Lamela (En-Nesyri, 66).
Subs not used: Dmitrovic, Alberto, Telles, Rekik, Rafa Mir, Gil, Bade.
Booked: Montiel, Gudelj, Acuna, Rakitic, Lamela.
Goals: Malacia (own goal), Maguire (own goal).