(Football news) Manchester United will be hoping that they take a first-leg advantage when they welcome Sevilla to Old Trafford. United have already beaten two La Liga sides in this season’s tournament as they eliminated Barcelona and Real Betis, while Sevilla beat the likes of PSV Eindhoven and Fenerbahce in the knockout rounds.
Erik Ten Hag’s side don’t want to be in this European competition as the head coach has ambitions of taking the club back to the top of the Champions League. The Europa League provides a chance to win some major silverware this season. The Red Devils are still active in the FA Cup as they are set to take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the semi-finals of the competition on April 23.
Ten Hag’s side are fourth in the Premier League, three points clear of Tottenham and they will enter this match after two home victories. April is going to be the busiest month which will see Man United play another six matches, including both legs of their quarter-final with Sevilla. Manchester United have lost both the games against Sevilla which included the semi-finals of the Europa League in 2020. For Ten Hag if he manages to deliver three trophies and a top-four finish that would represent an excellent first for him.
Sevilla are currently sitting down in 13th position in the La Liga table as they are now five points clear of the relegation zone but on the other hand they sit 19 points behind fourth-placed Real Sociedad but winning this competition will give them direct qualification into the Champions League 2023-24 campaign. Sevilla over the past four seasons have finished fourth in La Liga They have hardly been convincing in the knockout also as they have lost both of their second legs against PSV Eindhoven and Fenerbahçe.
Seville won 3-2 on aggregate against Fenerbache despite losing 2-1 in the second leg in Turkey. Sevilla are the most successful side in the Europa league having won the trophy on six occasions. Even after a disappointing season they must be taken extremely seriously in this tournament. New head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side will enter this match after a disappointing 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo last Friday as they will have an extra day of rest compared to United.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, L Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes; Antony, Martial, Sancho
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Bono; Montiel, Bade, Gudelj, Acuna; Fernando, Rakitic; Ocampos, Torres, Lamela; En-Nesyri
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