Man United lost their Europa League quarter-final tie against Sevilla ‘in the second half at Old Trafford’, insists Owen Hargreaves – as ex-midfielder says they’ve had ‘five or six games this season that scare you’ after unfortunate 3-0 defeat in the second leg
- Manchester United have been eliminated from the Europa League after a 3-0 defeat to Sevilla
- That came after they threw away a 2-0 lead with two own goals in the first leg
- Owen Hargreaves felt United lost the tie in the first leg at Old Trafford
Owen Hargreaves believes that Manchester United lost the quarter-final of the Europa League against Sevilla in the first leg drawn at Old Trafford.
After taking a 2–0 lead from a Marcel Sabitzer brace at Old Trafford, United slumped in the dying minutes as own goals from Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia tied the score.
It gave them a tough task when they visited the six-time champions in Seville, and Erik ten Hag’s side were completely outplayed as mistakes by David de Gea cost them dear in a 3-0 defeat.
For Hargreaves, who won European trophies with both United and Bayern Munich, the quarter-final was already over before the return leg started.
“This was lost in the second half at Old Trafford,” he told BT Sport. ‘She [Manchester United] three or four could have been zero.
Manchester United have been eliminated from the Europa League after losing 5-2 on aggregate to Sevilla
The Red Devils gave away a 2-0 lead in the first leg after late own goals from Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia
“They could have been out of sight. Instead they were punished tonight.’
He also talked about how losses of the magnitude of Thursday are becoming a regular occurrence for his former side, adding: “Manchester United have played five or six games this season that will blow your mind.”
Since the arrival of Erik ten Hag at the club, a kind of pattern has emerged.
Despite undoubtedly improving the culture and performance of the side as a whole, crushing defeats have surfaced throughout the season, starting with a 4-0 defeat at Brentford in the manager’s second game in charge.
They lost 6-3 at Man City two months later, 3-1 at Aston Villa in November and were beaten 7-0 by Liverpool at Anfield last month.
Despite labeling his players as ‘unacceptable’ and not ‘good enough’ after Thursday’s defeat, Erik ten Hag offered fans some hope for a reaction.
Owen Hargreaves lost the tie when United let their advantage go at Old Trafford
Erik ten Hag supported his side to produce an answer in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton
He told BT Sport: “We’ve shown in the past that we can recover quickly. We’ve done it many times this season, but we need to start games better with more desire and more composure on the ball.
“If you get setbacks, you have to deal with them and move on. I’ve had this question many times, after Manchester City, after Liverpool and after Brentford, and every time we bounce back.
“This team has character and mental skills, but sometimes we are not there. I think we have to accept that now. Everyone sees that the requirements and the level have to be higher at a club like Manchester United.’
The Red Devils are next in action on Sunday as they continue their search for a second domestic trophy of the season against Brighton in the FA Cup.