Champions League: Premier League teams Power Rankings after First Legs
By Orri Benatar
United played poorly and once again needed the heroics of David De Gea to keep them in the game.
Manchester United was easily the worst of the EPL sides to start the knockout stage in Europe. Sevilla dominated them all game by outshooting the Red Devils 25-6. David De Gea’s eight saves was a major difference to keep the result scoreless. United surely should have lost this match.
To be fair, Mourinho tends to go defensive in Champions League away fixtures, which to me is pretty confusing. That’s the only way to see some positives with United’s performance.
Next: De Gea saves United from loss in Sevilla
The second leg at Old Trafford could be a more open game with players attacking and actually trying to score goals at home. Sevilla isn’t having the best of seasons and United isn’t having the best of runs right now.
Mourinho now has Alexis Sanchez, one of the best wingers on the planet. He must utilize that talent in an attacking style. That’s why Mourinho wasn’t able to win a Champions League with Real Madrid.
He didn’t cater the tactics to his superstars (Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, etc..). If he designs his gameplan to his best players, United would score four to five goals, every other game.