Following a crucial victory over Liverpool to begin their season-defining trio of matches in the space of seven days, the Champions League returns to Old Trafford for the first time in five months, as Sevilla arrive in town.
It’s been contrasting times between the first leg and this second leg for Vincenzo Montella and José Mourinho, but this competition seemingly remains their priority.
Time to get serious in the world’s biggest domestic tournament – season-defining consequences are on the card.
Aggregate score: 0-0
Kick-off: 19:45
Referee: Danny Makkelie
Venue: Old Trafford
Los Nervionenses
Form
Current run: LWWLD
Top scorer: Wassim Ben Yedder [6]
Most assists: Franco Vázquez [5]
One to watch: Éver Benega
Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)
- Lionel Carole; muscle (unknown)
- Sébastian Corchia; groin (late fitness test)
- Jesús Navas; calf (day to day)
Team news
Sevilla starting XI: Rico, Kjaer, Lenglet, Banega, Correa, N’Zonzi, Sarabia, Escudero, Muriel, Vázquez, Mercado.
Last time out
The white and reds were dominant and it was the heroics of David De Gea that really kept them from winning the game on the night but issued comedic warning to him about keeping his abilities saved for the World Cup in hope another Spain triumph this summer.
The likes of Ben Yedder, Vazquez, Luis Muriel, Nolito and Everton loanee Sandro Ramirez caused problems in attack. Their tendency to hit the ball wide from the middle with the likes of Benega, Roque Mesa, and more defensive-minded Steven N’Zonzi before cutting inside to strike was eventually neutralised once Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young clocked on.
What the manager said:
“We’ll carry the spirit of the fans with us on the field tomorrow.”
The Red Devils
Talking points
Celebrations from victory over Liverpool were short-lived as the squad trained on Sunday.
The speculation surrounding Paul Pogba’s absence in the aforementioned clash was quickly ended as he and Mourinho shared a hug during the manager’s post-match interview.
Scott McTominay received an international call-up for Scotland ahead of the fixtures next week and many more of the United contingent are expected to receive call-ups themselves later this week.
Confirmation of retirement at the end of the season from the man himself, Michael Carrick, came in the pre-match press conference – meaning it could be his final chance to feature in the illustrious competition.
Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)
- Ander Herrera; hamstring (4 weeks)
- Daley Blind; ankle (day to day)
- Zlatan Ibrahimović; hamstring (back in training)
- Phil Jones; knock (back in training)
- Marcos Rojo; head (back in training)
Team news
United starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Young; Matic, Fellaini; Lingard, Alexis, Rashford; Lukaku.
Last time out
Put simply, United struggled. Squandered chances in the first half meant Mourinho reverted to his totally defensive format in the second half and Lukaku was extremely isolated up front with basically, scraps to feed off.
Smalling and Victor Lindelöf were constantly tested and relied on De Gea for numerous interventions as Nemanja Matić in ahead of the pair couldn’t block out chances created from deep.
What the manager said:
“That [Europa League] victory last season was very important for us, because we finished outside the top four in the Premier League but we won a title and at the same time, we went back to the Champions League,”
Match facts
- United have won just 1 of their last 8 Champions League knockout games (D3 L4).
- Sevilla have never won a Champions League game in England (D1 L3) but can advance with a score-draw (or win) tonight.
- United have lost just 1 of their last 9 games against Spanish opposition in this tournament (Real Madrid in 2013).
- Sevilla have conceded the most goals in the competition thus far [12] out of the remaining sides at this date; Porto conceded 15 before crashing out last week.
- Mourinho (in his 11 full seasons) has reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League as a manager 8 times, failing just on 3 occasions.
- Mourinho has only lost 7 of his previous 69 home Champions League games in his career (W48 D14).
UK television channel: BT Sport 2
Enjoy the match!
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