Erik Ten Hag Reacts As Maguire and Malacia Own Goals Caused Sevilla To Draw 2-2 With Man United In The UEL.

Manchester United squandered a comfortable two goal lead in their disastrous UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg clash with Sevilla at Old Trafford on Thursday night. 

Despite not scoring a single goal in the dramatic encounter, Sevilla luckily took a point back to Spain courtesy of two own goals, leaving it an all to play for in the second leg next week.

United who began the match the more impressive side, dominated the play and were dreamland in the first half when Marcel Sabitzer scored twice in the 14th and 21st minute to give the Red Devils a 2-0 lead.

United looked to be comfortable and were in cruise control before the break but struggled to sustain the same level of intensity in the second half as Sevilla started to create more chances.

The return proved to be a miracle with the visitors finding themselves level against their dominant hosts. First, the six-time Europa League champions Sevilla fought back in the 84th minute when Jesus Navas'shot bounced off the feet of Tyrell Malacia and goalkeeper David de Gea into the net.

Shortly after that United were compounded with more miseries when they were reduced to 10 as defender Lisandro Martinez went to the ground looking utterly distraught after suffering a scary injury to his lower leg or foot area without anyone around him, and couldn't stand and walk under his own power.

The defender looked utterly distraught as he was carried off the pitch by fellow Argentina internationals Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna.

Sevilla took huge advantage of the situation and bagged the equaliser in stoppage time (90+2 mind) when Youssef En-Nesyri's header bounced off captain Harry Maguire into the net.

The defeat left manager Erik Ten Hag not just disappointed, but also sweating on the fitness of Raphael Varane and the knowledge that Bruno Fernandes will miss the second leg due to suspension.

Speaking after the game Ten Hag blamed injuries for the draw; "We had the game in our hand. We were 2-0 up and should've scored three or four - the game was totally on us. Unlucky moments with injuries, we had to make some subs with injuries then we lost the control.

"We conceded two own goals, that's bad luck but we have to deal with it. We have to learn and have to kill the game but everything is open.

"When we didn't get the third and got some injuries we lost the rhythm in the game. We played well in the first half with a lot of belief, scored two great goals for Sabitzer and we could've scored even more, then after half time we lost control of the game.

"I know we can do better with these players in the last part of the game and we needed to be more composed, it was not a nice night."

On the injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, Ten Hag added: "We've seen Lisandro drops out after a moment where there was no opponent involved so it does not look great. I can't say how serious it is at this moment, the same with Rafa."

Sevilla head coach, Jose Luis Mendilibar also reflected on the encounter; "The first 30 mins were poor for us, great for them, they caused us problems.

"At half-time we said if we score one goal we would be back in the tie.

"We managed to equalise, Martinez got injured, and in the end, we had chances to turn the game around and leave as winners." the Los Nervionenses boss said.

United travel to Nottingham Forest next in the Premier League this weekend , before travelling to Seville in Spain for the return leg against the LaLiga team Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

The winner will progress to the semifinals of the Europa League.