Sevilla 3-0 Man Utd (Agg. 5-2): Player ratings as Red Devils crash out of Europa League
Manchester United crashed out of the Europa League with an embarrassing performance against a clinical Sevilla at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Thursday night.
United had thrown away a 2-0 lead in the first leg and never got going in the second. Sevilla didn’t look back as soon as Youssef En-Nesyri broke the deadlock early to go ahead on aggregate, with the Moroccan scoring again late on after Loic Bade had also netted.
Sevilla fans brought the noise from the start and that energy translated onto the pitch when the hosts pressured United into an early mistake. David de Gea left Harry Maguire on an island with a poor pass when the captain was surrounded by white shirts. Erik Lamela closed him down and En-Nesyri was gratefully on hand to finish as the ball broke free.
United continued to be sloppy and there was another nervy moment at the back when there appeared to be a lack of communication between Maguire and De Gea.
Erik ten Hag’s team finally found a bit of attacking rhythm midway through the first half, although when the first clear chance fell at Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s feet, the full-back put it straight at Bono. Yet by the closing stages of the first half, Sevilla were toying with United in midfield.
A borderline offside flagged by VAR denied Sevilla a second before the interval. It was a fine finish from Lucas Ocampos, but Marcos Acuna had strayed inches offside prior to crossing. Only moments earlier, Victor Lindelof had also blocked at point-blank range from Suso.
Ten Hag didn’t waste time changing things at the break, sending both Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw on for the second half. But barely any sooner had the game restarted, a set-piece was their undoing. Bade rose relatively unchallenged to meet Ivan Rakitic’s out-swinging corner, connecting with his shoulder rather than his head, but still managing to beat a weak De Gea.
With United in disarray, only an instinctive save from De Gea stopped Ocampos quickly making it three, followed by a frantic goalmouth scramble.
United started to have more of the ball around the hour mark, although it seemed more because Sevilla were happy to back off, sit on their lead and play on the counter. Casemiro did at least force Bono into a decent save with a powerful shot from distance.
With Sevilla under no pressure to force the issue, United spent plenty of time in the hosts’ half. Yet the nail in the coffin was another poor moment from De Gea. The Spaniard committed a calamitous error coming well out of his goal to try and control a Sevilla clearance, instead putting the ball on a plate for En-Nesyri to sweep a first-time shot past the hopeless stranded goalkeeper.
Sevilla player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Bono (5); RB: Navas (6), CB: Bade (8), CB: Marcao (6), LB: Acuna (6); CM: Fernando (7), CM: Gudelj (7); RM: Ocampos (8), AM: Rakitic (8), LM: Lamela (7); ST: En-Nesyri (8)
Sub: Suso (6), Gil (6), Telles (N/A)
Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: David de Gea - 1/10 - Didn't help Maguire for the early goal with a poor choice of pass and didn't inspire confidence in those in front of him at all. Too easily beaten for the Sevilla second and the third goal was entirely his fault.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 5/10 - Didn't reappear for the second half, having swapped to the left and Ten Hag seemingly wanting a specialist.
CB: Harry Maguire (c) - 4/10 - Didn't position himself well when his pocket was picked for the opening goal, especially after it appeared he had signalled to receive the ball.
CB: Victor Lindelof - 6/10 - Made a few good blocks to keep Sevilla at bay.
LB: Diogo Dalot - 6/10 - Saw plenty of the ball but was alway very safe.
CM: Casemiro - 5/10 - Picked up another suspension, not that it will apply until next season.
CM: Christian Eriksen - 5/10 - A second start in quick succession after a few months out looked like it was taking its toll.
RM: Antony - 6/10 - Looked the one United player most likely to create something.
AM: Marcel Sabitzer - 4/10 - No way near as effective as he was at Old Trafford. Off the pace.
LM: Jadon Sancho - 4/10 - Disappointingly poor.
ST: Anthony Martial - 5/10 - Often had to come deep to try and get involved, before another injury prematurely ended his night.
Substitutes
SUB: Marcus Rashford (46' for Sancho) - 6/10
SUB: Luke Shaw (46' for Wan-Bissaka) - 6/10
SUB: Wout Weghorst (54' for Martial) - 5/10
SUB: Fred (68' for Sabitzer) - 5/10
SUB: Anthony Elanga (86' for Eriksen) - N/A
Manager
Erik ten Hag - 6/10 - His team weren't up for the fight. Went to the bench relatively quickly.