MATCH REVIEW - SEVILLA v MANCHESTER UNITED

 -By Varun Sangwan and Hitanshu Samantray

MATCH STATS

TALKING POINTS

Manchester United started the match strongly with them toying with the Sevilla defense and picking line breaking passes. Through one such pass Martial picked out Marcus Rashford who was taken down and United won a penalty which Bruno Fernandes duly converted as he always does. After that Sevilla started to kick on and created chances. Again individual errors in defense cost united dearly as Brandon Williams failed to mark Suso who scored from a delicious cross from Reguilon. The goal was debatable as just before the goal, United should have had a throw-in which was given to Sevilla. United ended the half strongly and everybody could sense that a goal was coming. Bruno Fernandes and Rashford were denied by the keeper Bono and it was all square at half-time.

United showed real purpose in the second half and were the better team by far. Martial, Greenwood , Bruno and Rashford all tried but it wasn't supposed to be their as it was Bono's as he repeatedly kept denying United's attackers glory. The introduction of Luuk De Jog changed the tempo of the game in favour of Sevilla and it wasn't long before the ex-PSV forward put the ball in the back of the net from a cross on the right side of the pitch coupled with numerous defensive errors from United. Tempers flared as Bruno and Lindelof were going at each other and they never really recoveredd from it. In the final 10 minutes, United threw everything including the kitchen sink but it wasn't supposed to be their day as Sevilla progressed to their 6th Europa League final - in hope that once again they will reclaim their throne, one they held for three years in a row.

TACTICS REVIEW

David De Gea replaced Sergio Romero in goal and interestingly Fred kept his place in the starting lineup with the gaffer deciding to play the Brazilian over Nemanja Matic.. Rest of the squad was the strongest available. The formation mainly used through the game was 4 -2 -3 -1 .

PLAYER RATINGS

GK : DAVID DE GEA  - 6

Had nothing much  to do except pick the ball out of his net.

LB :  - BRANDON WILLIAMS - 5

He isn't supposed to be a left-back. He is way too right footed. Was shocking defensively as Sevilla created in roads through our left side of the defense and was at fault for the first goal when he failed to mark Suso.  

CB : HARRY MAGUIRE -  6.5

Slow. Could have done better in the first goal we conceded. Needs to play passes quicker as he slows down our game way too much.

CB : VICTOR LINDELOF -  6.5

At fault for the second goal as Luuk De Jong found a place between him and Wan Bissaka. Otherwise defensively good.

RB: AARON WAN BISSAKA - 6.5

Defensively solid as always but failed to mark De Jong who ended up scoring the winner.

CM : FRED - 7

He was brilliant in the tackle and maybe should be Matic's successor instead of McTominay as he is a little defensively inclined.

CM : PAUL POGBA - 6.5

Tried and tried but to no avail.

CAM : BRUNO FERNANDES  -  9

He gave everything he had and we still come up short. Would have had a hat-trick if Bono didn't keep denying him.

LW: MARCUS RASHFORD - 3.5

Poor today.. Looked tired and really poor finishing on display from him. Hopefully he'll be fully fit and raring to go next season

RW: MASON GREENWOOD - 6

Always willing to try a shot, he found at least 3 defenders on his face today. Never stopped trying tho.

ST : ANTHONY MARTIAL - 7

Great movement as always. Really should have made more of his chances. Brilliant play to set up the penalty.

HITANSHU'S VERDICT

Starting brightly, Man Utd seemed really threatening and they were rewarded by a penalty for it and Bruno doesn't miss those. Sevilla hit back quickly with a well-worked goal and it was the whole team's organisation at fault this time. Yet again we started the second half brilliantly, constantly attacking the Sevilla goal but as we've experienced lately, for some weird reason goalkeepers suddenly turn up to play the game of their lives against Man Utd. Bono pulled off some excellent saves (somewhat Schmeichel-esque) to keep Martial and Co. off the score sheet. And yet again we were caught out with some poor defending, with De Jong easily getting b/w Lindelof and AWB. I think both of them should've done much better. Overall, this was United's game to be won and the chances we missed will be haunting us as well. Maybe Ole could've made the subs earlier as some of our players looked tired, but it was the manager's decision and I respect that. Leave your thoughts in the comments...

VARUN'S VERDICT

This loss hurt like somebody put a knife in my gut and twisted it. I was shocked because we dominated so much in the second half and we just couldn't find the finishing touch. Bruno tried everything - crosses , through balls , long shots but everything was save by the goalkeeper - who somehow all manage to bring their A game when playing against us. This was a trophy we could have won but Sevilla are the ones who progress to the final helped by luck, a relentless defensive performance and a goalkeeper who just wouldn't give up.

On to next season now. Hopefully Ed Woodward doesn't disappoint in the transfer market..

MAN OF THE MATCH

BRUNO FERNANDES : Gave it his all and scored our only goal - another penalty. He has ice in those veins and the Europa League top scorer can be proud of the performance he put in even if the rest of the team let him down.