By Victor Kanayo
Manchester United miraculously threw away a 2-0 lead against struggling La Liga side Sevila in the quarter-final of their UEFA Europa League tie, to eventually settle for a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Thursday April 13, 2023.
Two own goals off the feat of two United defenders Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia were all that rubbished the Red Devils in the first and majority of the second half.
Before the temporary collapse, United appeared to be cruising to victory through two goals from Marcel Sabitzer inside the opening 21 minutes.
But the loss of centre-backs Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez to injury proved costly as Malacia and Maguire deflected balls into their own net in the final six minutes plus stoppage time.
United will also have to cope without Bruno Fernandes for the second leg on April 20 after he picked up a yellow card that leads to a suspension.
The home side were without 28-goal top scorer Marcus Rashford due to injury, but still made light work of the Spaniards before half-time as Sabitzer struck twice.
The Austrian midfielder had scored only once for United in 12 previous appearances, but twice pierced through the Sevilla defence with well-timed runs and composed finishes.
Casemiro’s first appearance for nearly a month due to a four-game Premier League ban added authority to the United midfield and the Brazilian should have marked the occasion with a goal after more good approach play by Martial, according to AFP.
