When Manchester United plays Sevilla on Thursday night, they will be hoping to move a step closer to the Europa League semi-finals.
Erik ten Hag’s team has already won the Carabao Cup and will play in the FA Cup last four later this month, but the trophy chase continues with the opening leg of their quarter-final meeting versus Sevilla at Old Trafford.
Recent victories over Brentford and Everton have helped to steady the ship after a turbulent stretch for United, and they are strong contenders to keep that winning streak going against a Sevilla team struggling terribly at home.
With the exits of Julen Lopetegui and Jorge Sampaoli, Jos Luis Mendilibar is the club’s third manager of the season, and they now lie 13th in La Liga, barely five points above the relegation zone.
Following a 1-0 home setback to Sevilla’s regional rivals Real Sociedad on the first day, the Red Devils have dominated the Europa League, winning eight of their next nine matches. After avenging that setback with a resounding victory in San Sebastian to finish second in Group E, Manchester United defeated none other than Barcelona in the last stage.
Old Trafford is the perfect stimulus to compensate for any psychological weaknesses, with United posting an astounding 87% victory percentage in 15 competitive home games in 2023. (W13, D2). Sevilla have gone blank in three of their past four matches in all competitions, with the exception of the aforementioned triumph over regular La Liga relegation hopefuls Cadiz (D1, L2).
Their streak included a 1-0 setback at Fenerbahce in the reverse fixture of their Europa League last-16 encounter, which saw Los Rojiblancos advance as 2-1 aggregate victors, thanks to a 2-0 first-leg triumph at home.
Unfortunately, the Spaniards’ disappointing performance in Istanbul exacerbated their continental issue, since they have now failed to win any of their past 13 European away games (D5, L6). They have lost on their past three continental trips and might make it four defeats in a succession for the first time in almost seven years, highlighting their continuous problems.
Returning to the win against Cadiz: it was Sevilla’s first competitive victory away from the Stadium Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan since a 1-0 Cup del Rey victory over second-tier Deportivo Alaves in January. Nevertheless, they have lost five and drew 2 of their seven competitive road games, scoring an awful 0.42 goals per match.
Team News- Manchester United
Rashford is in danger of missing this match after hobbling off the field with a groyne injury during the Everton game, but there is optimism in the home camp that he can recover in time.
On a more positive note, against Everton, Manchester United greeted Christian Eriksen back from an extended injury, and Casemiro’s domestic suspension does not extend to European games. Luke Shaw is another notable question after suffering a slight physical injury against Brentford, although Raphael Varane should return to the starting lineup.
Alex Telles, who is on loan from Manchester United, is allowed to play against his old club. Nonetheless, he will most probably begin on the bench because Argentine Marcus Acuna is Sevilla’s first choice at left defender.
Team News- Sevilla
Due to muscular and Achilles ailments, Los Rojiblancos will be missing their winger Jesus Corona and midfielder Joan Jordan.
The remainder of Mendilibar’s team should be in good shape for this trip.
Predictions-
Manchester United 2-1 Sevilla
