Champions League: Manchester United pay the price of elimination

Manchester United joins Tottenham as the second English club to exit from the Champions League after a 2-1 defeat at home to Spanish side, Sevilla.

Terrific scenes for the visiting team in the last 15 minutes of a game at Old Trafford, when Sevilla clinched a place in the last eight of the Champions League. Many say, and many are right by saying – United put on one of their worst performances this season.

The hero in England was once again, Wissam Ben Yedder, who put two past the Devil’s savior, David de Gea. As said in the preview of the match – the away goal counts as gold.

Jose got it completely wrong this time – it took his side 173 minutes to score a goal over both legs. Unstandable to sit back and soak up pressure at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, but to not go all-out attack at Old Trafford, was punished dearly by Vincenzo Montella’s men.

Manchester 1-2 Sevilla recap

The game started with chances going both ways and United allowing Sevilla too much time on the ball. The first half remained scoreless with the best chance coming just before the halftime break, when Marouane Fellaini forced a save out of goalkeeper, Sergio Rico.

Besides that, the game was pretty tasteless – with the home side’s fans not too pleased with the performance on display. Rightfully so after what went down in the exact same place three days ago – when the Mancs beat their bitter rivals, Liverpool. 

The second half started much like the previous half and the first leg, with no real penetration on either side of the pitch. It took quite a while for a goal to be scored, but a winner was needed, and a winner we got.

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Manchester United 1-2 Sevilla match stats:

In the 73th minute, late in the second half, Sevilla played more direct and pieced together three to four passes, splitting the English side right down the middle of the pitch, and quite effortlessly, may I add.

Not long after, you’d bank on United to answer back immediately. However, it was the away team who doubled the blow for the Old Trafford side, scoring this time from a set piece, where we witnessed some shocking defending from Ashley Young on the far post, who single handedly failed at helping his keeper.

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It was only in the 83rd minute of the game where United’s number 9 finally came to the party and scored what was then, the start of a comeback – but now, a consolation goal by Lukaku.

After this small act of heroics by the Belgian the game was decided and Sevilla booked a place in the next round, while United dropped their heads in disappointment.

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What from here for the Reds of Manchester?

A FA Cup fixture awaits United around the corner where they will look to bounce back from this great defeat. As United’s neighbours keeps pulling away in the Premier League, United’s only chance of silverware is the FA Cup.

Besides the FA Cup, United must maintain their speed in the Premier League and remain consistent to keep their second place spot. Why consistent? After their early exit to Sevilla – they must be looking to secure their place in next season’s competition.

With all this being said – United fall further and further behind their counterpart and neighbours, Manchester City. The two spent big to compete on all fronts, and only Jose’s men have failed to keep up on the chase.