Erik ten Hag warns Manchester United “must be aware” of Sevilla’s strong Europa League record after the Red Devils took on the struggling LaLiga in the Europa League quarter-final draw
Erik ten Hag has warned against any complacency when his Manchester United take on Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final.
The Spanish side have struggled domestically this season, sitting just three points clear of 19th-ranked Almeria in 13th.
However, Ten Hag has pointed to his impressive Europa League record as something his team will need to ‘bear in mind’, with Sevilla winning the competition a record six times.
“Back to Seville and they have a very good record, we have to be aware of that,” Ten Hag said at his press conference on Friday, upon learning the result of the midday draw.
It will be difficult because they have a lot of experience in the Europa League, they have won it many times. I don’t know the team in detail, so I have to focus on that.
Manchester United has been drawn against Sevilla in the quarterfinals of the Europa League
Erik ten Hag (centre) warned that his team must respect Sevilla’s record in the Europa League
“I think that all the opponents that come to this stage of the Europa League are strong and you have to play your best football if you want to go through, and that is definitely the case if you face Sevilla.”
Indeed, United have just returned from Seville, where they beat Real Betis 1-0 to seal a 5-1 aggregate victory against Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
It is a long road traveled this season for Ten Hag’s team, which will now face a third consecutive Spanish team, having also defeated Barcelona in the play-off round.
The Premier League side are seen as the favorites to go all the way in the competition, having fallen at the final hurdle in 2020-21 when they were beaten on penalties by Unai Emery’s Villarreal.
Those of Ten Hag are the favorites to lift the Europa League in Budapest on May 31
Sevilla have won the competition four times in the last decade but have suffered a slump since they last won the trophy in 2020, currently sitting 13th in the LaLiga standings.
And in case they eliminate Sevilla in the quarterfinals, the path to the final for Ten Hag’s team is far from easy.
United is on the more difficult side of the group. If they advance against perennial Europa League winners, they will face either Juventus or Sporting Lisbon in the semi-finals.
The Red Devils and Juventus have Champions League history, but after their struggles in recent seasons, it could turn into a box office clash in the semi-finals.
United continue to compete on three fronts, having already sealed the Carabao Cup, and host Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday.