MANCHESTER UNITED were DUMPED out of the Europa League after a night to forget in Sevilla.
Eric ten Hag blasted his side's display and said: “We lost the battles. They had more passion, more desire, more willingness. It can’t be and I think it is unacceptable."
Elsewhere, The Red Devils have held talks with Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong as they plan to overhaul their backline.
Meanwhile, United have placed Atalanta star Rasmus Hojlund on their shortlist for a new striker.
And we have all the latest on the takeover saga at Old Trafford.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Stay in tune with the latest from Old Trafford includingALL takeover updates
- Gary Stonehouse
Morning, United fans
Erik ten Hag blasted United's "unacceptable" lack of fight after their Europa League humbling.
Sevilla ended the Red Devils' hopes for a cup treble with a 3-0 win in Spain and 5-2 quarter-final aggregate triumph.
Keeper David de Gea and centre-back Harry Maguire had costly, calamitous nights.
And it came hours after De Gea was tipped to accept a new contract on reduced pay.
Maguire, however, might find himself out in the summer, despite previously deputising well for injured duo Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
Boss Ten Hag said: “We lost the battles. They had more passion, more desire, more willingness. It can’t be and I think it is unacceptable.
“This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something and we gave it away – we have to blame ourselves."
United now have to recover physically and psychologically for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Brighton at Wembley.
Transfer wise, it's claimed the Red Devils have been in contact with Bayer Leverkusen over uncapped Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong, 22.
- Gary Stonehouse
Morning, United fans
Erik ten Hag blasted United's "unacceptable" lack of fight after their Europa League humbling.
Sevilla ended the Red Devils' hopes for a cup treble with a 3-0 win in Spain and 5-2 quarter-final aggregate triumph.
Keeper David de Gea and centre-back Harry Maguire had costly, calamitous nights.
And it came hours after De Gea was tipped to accept a new contract on reduced pay.
Maguire, however, might find himself out in the summer, despite previously deputising well for injured duo Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
Boss Ten Hag said: “We lost the battles. They had more passion, more desire, more willingness. It can’t be and I think it is unacceptable.
“This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something and we gave it away – we have to blame ourselves."
United now have to recover physically and psychologically for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Brighton at Wembley.
Transfer wise, it's claimed the Red Devils have been in contact with Bayer Leverkusen over uncapped Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong, 22.
- Ian Tuckey
Ten Hag blasts lack of fight
Erik ten Hag slammed his Manchester United flops for showing a lack of fight and letting the fans down, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
The Red Devils completely collapsed in Sevilla, going down 3-0 to lose their Europa League quarter-final tie 5-2 on aggregate.
Ten Hag said: “We have to face it that we let ourselves down and let the fans down and if you want to win trophies if you want to be successful you need character.
“Tonight was not good enough it was obvious, it was clear, we didn’t match the standards you can expect from a team from Manchester United.”
Ten Hag was asked if the most disappointing thing was the lack of fight in his team.
He said: “I have to acknowledge, it is the truth, it is hard, it is tough. It can’t be, it is unacceptable.
“We have to start games better with more desire and when you get a setback you have to deal with it and carry on
“We have to be better and it is not about playing skills, it is about character and being composed and have desire and passion.
"We lost the battles, they had more passion, more desire, more willingness.
"It can’t be and I think it is unacceptable.
"We can't run away from it.
"This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something and we gave it away – we have to blame ourselves. It's gone, we can't change it.”
- Ian Tuckey
'Leave De Gea in Spain' say angry Utd fans
United fans are fuming with David De Gea's performance in the Europa League quarter-final.
The Red Devils were outclassed by their Spanish opponents, but De Gea has been at fault for three goals.
For the first goal, he and Harry Maguire got into a mix-up which allowed Youssef En-Nesyri to open the scoring in the eighth minute.
De Gea was then beaten by a looping header from Loic Bade just after the second half started, for which pundit Robbie Savage claimed he could have done better.
He then followed this up with some bad control allowing the Moroccan striker to net his second of the game in the 81st minute minute.
And supporters were left fuming with the goalkeeper, with some demanding he be left in Spain and not allowed to fly back with the team.
One fan tweeted: "Leave Sancho, De Gea & Maguire in Seville."
A second said: "Is De Gea playing in flippers?"
A third commented: "You cannot, you just CANNOT defend De Gea and Maguire anymore! This is unacceptable! De Gea "has" been a legend for this club, but in no way he should be given a new contract.
"And Harry Maguire needs to be thrown out of the club! The season is crumbling down!!"
- Ian Tuckey
Red Devils' sub ratings
Marcus Rashford (On for Sancho 46mins) – 6
Returned from injury and was able to offer something to in behind or out wide. However, didn't look his sharpest and was unable to lift the team as much as they needed.
Luke Shaw (On for Wan-Bissaka 46mins) – 5
Came on following an injury and played like it. Passing range was off-key all over the pitch.
Wout Weghorst (On for Martial 54mins) – 5
Once again put in the hard yards in the final third but as always showed a lack of cutting edge.
Fred (On for Sabitzer 68mins) – 5
Came on to add energy but with couldn't offer the lift needed to turn the tie around.
Anthony Elanga (On for Eriksen 86mins) – N/A
Saved the embarrassment of being associated with his team-mates for most of the night and actually worked the Sevilla goalkeeper in his brief cameo.
- Ian Tuckey
How Utd's front three rated
Antony – 6
Only United player who looked they had a modicum of desire in the first half.
However, the final ball was unable to find target whenever a chance presented itself – not that there were many.
Jadon Sancho – 3
BT Sport's Paul Scholes slammed Sancho's opening action's in the game as "terrible" and unfortunately that's all the chance he was given by Ten Hag after being hooked at half-time.
Even forgetting the lack of quality on show, Sancho's desire left a lot to be questioned, particularly given Antony's work rate on the opposite flank.
Anthony Martial – 5
Limped off injured once again and is set for a return to the club's medical room.
Not his best night even prior to the injury. Struggled to get involved and link with his fellow attackers.
- Ian Tuckey
Midfield ratings
Casemiro – 4
A ghost of the player seen for much of the season tonight. Often guilty of not plugging gaps in midfield well enough and also sloppy on the ball at times.
Lost his man for the corner at the start of the second half. Booked later in the half so would have missed the semi-final first leg.
Christian Eriksen – 4
Unable to help United control the midfield for much of the game and struggled in the frantic nature it.
Poor display from the Dane before being subbed off in the 86th minute.
Marcel Sabitzer – 5
Like Eriksen unable to really grab hold of the midfield battle and dictate tempo.
Up for the fight but lacked the passes in behind he thrived off last week.
- Ian Tuckey
United ratings
Our man Tony Robertson reckons only one Red devil emerged with any real credit from the 3-0 thumping in Sevilla.
here's his assessment…
DEFENCE
David de Gea – 2
Played a hospital pass to Maguire for Sevilla's opener and looked unsettled at times later on in the half. Robbie Savage planted blame for the looping second goal at his doorstep.
Only De Gea knows what he was trying to do as he rushed out for the third goal, which sums up the grievances many United fans have with the Spaniard.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 5
How this match could have been different if De Gea passed to him in the eighth minute. Wan-Bissaka was dependable enough when progressing the ball upfield.
Shifted to left-back in the latter stages of the first half and was then hooked by Ten Hag at half-time.
Harry Maguire – 3
Shocking error to gift Sevilla the lead after just eight minutes. Inexplicably called for the ball before trying a blind pass to Wan-Bissaka under pressure.
Guilty of giving the ball away on a number of occasions later on as well. Two horror European legs to forget for him.
Victor Lindelof – 6
A steady-eddie as his defensive partner seemed to implode next to him.
Competent enough on the ball and won enough defensive duels when challenged. Unspectacular night for the Swede but did his job on the whole.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Once again deputising at left-back in the absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia but was shifted back to the right side late in the first half.
Blocked two shots on the line in a goalmouth scramble early in the second half.
- Ian Tuckey
Rooney names his 'Rushmore four' for Utd
Wayne Rooney has found no space for himself or any other Englishmen in his "Mount Rushmore" quartet of Manchester United legends.
The four faces on the giant mountain-side sculpture in South Dakota represent pivotal US presidents.
And ex-Three Lions skipper Rooney was at the peak of the Red Devils' golden era, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League, also netting a club record 253 goals in 559 games.
But the DC United manager still thinks he didn't quite climb the heights that four other Old Trafford icons did.
CBS's Morning Footy asked Rooney who he'd pick – after they chose him, Sir Bobby Charlton, Paul Scholes and former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The ex-Everton striker replied: "Yeah I think for me, Sir Alex of course will be on there.
"I think Cristiano Ronaldo will be on there. And Ryan Giggs would be on there and probably George Best."
That means Eric Cantona and Roy Keane, plus Charlton and Scholes, missed out.
And Rooney admitted "so many people could be on there".
- Ian Tuckey
Curtains for Maguire?
Sevilla 3 Man Utd 0 (5-2 on agg)
This was a calamity completely of Manchester United’s own making, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
It is one captain Harry Maguire will want to forget in a hurry too.
Unfortunately his contribution to the tie is more likely to result in a permanent reminder with a statue of him outside the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
An own goal in the first leg and a blunder in the second from the England international has handed Sevilla a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League and ended the Red Devils cup treble dreams.
After lifting the Carabao Cup with Bruno Fernandes at Wembley Maguire wanted his hands on more silverware.
It can only be the FA Cup as well now and United need to pick themselves up very quickly for Sunday’s semi-final against Brighton which is far from a certainty if this is anything to go by.
Maguire was not the only one at fault. David de Gea had a nightmare too. In fact nobody who boarded the plane straight to London last night in preparation for Sunday could do so with their heads held high.
They had this tie in the palm of their hands when Marcel Sabitzer scored twice inside the first 21 minutes at Old Trafford last week and blew it.
FULL REPORT HERE
- Ian Tuckey
RESULT: Sevilla 3 Man Utd 0
United crash out of the Europa League quarter-finals 5-2 on aggregate after this tame defeat.
For all the reaction, go to our MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL: Sevilla 3 Man Utd 0
Another dreadful goal to concede – De Gea gifting En-Nesyri a long-range goal after dashing out of his area and cocking up.
That leaves United 5-2 down on aggregate – after leading 2-0 in the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
Yet despite pressing well, Sevilla look nothing special.
For all the action and reaction, go to our MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL: Sevilla 2 Man Utd 0
United are struggling to keep hold of the ball – making a recovery exctremely unlikely unless the pattern changes dramatically.
Rashford and Shaw came on at the break in an attempt to correct dlaws at other end, then Wout Weghorst arrived on 54 minutes.
But as the contest entered the last half-hour, and United 2-0 down on the night and 4-2 behind on aggregate, they continued to splutter.
Weghorst did, however, have two half-chances on 64 minutes.
For all the action and reaction, go to our MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL: Sevilla 2 Man Utd 0
With Marcus Rashford on from the start of the second half, United fell 2-0 down on 47 minutes.
Bade looped in a deflected header over De Gea from a corner.
For all the action and reaction, go to our MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
H/T: Sevilla 1 Man Utd 0
The Red Devils gifted the Spaniards their opener and could easily have been further behind.
For all the action and reaction, go to our MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL RULED OUT: Sevilla 1 Man Utd 0
Sevilla have a second goal ruled out for offside.
For all the action and reaction, go to our MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL: Sevilla 1 Man Utd 0
Harry Maguire's blunder in a mix-up with keeper David de Gea gifted Youssef En-Nesyri an eighth-minute opener for the hosts.
For all the action and reaction, go to our MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
It's under way: Sevilla 0 Man Utd 0
The Red Devils are doing their best to be creative without suspended Bruno Fernandes.
For all the action and reaction, go to our MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
Sabitzer back, Rashford on bench
Marcel Sabitzer returns next to Christian Eriksen in United's midfield at Sevilla tonight.
And Diogo Dalot is again set to play out of position at left-back due to an injury crisis.
But fit-again top scorer Marcus Rashford only returns as a sub.
UNITED: 1. de Gea, 29. Wan-Bissaka, 2. Lindelof, 5. Maguire, 20. Dalot, 14. Eriksen, 18. Casemiro, 15. Sabitzer, 21. Antony, 9. Martial, 25. Sancho
SUBS: 31. Butland, 50. Vitek, 12. Malacia, 23. Shaw, 17. Fred, 28. Pellistri, 55. Iqbal, 36. Elanga, 10. Rashford, 27. Weghorst.
For all the build-up, action and reaction, go to our MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
'De Gea deal close'
Keeper David de Gea is tipped to soon agree a new contract on reduced pay.
ESPN say United have persuaded the Spaniard to extend his stay beyond the summer.
Meanwhile, De Gea and Co will of course be focused on tonight's clash at Sevilla.
Team news to follow…
- Ian Tuckey
Erik plea for De Gea to stay
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hailed David de Gea as the “complete goalkeeper” despite his contract stand-off.
De Gea’s deal runs out this summer and United want to reduce his wages from £375,000 a week to £200,000.
Ten Hag said: “David is a really multi-functional and complete goalkeeper.
“We are very happy with him.’’
- Ian Tuckey
Prem confirms dates for finale
The Premier League has confirmed the dates and times of a number of games in the pivotal season run-in.
And they include potentially title-deciding clashes involving Arsenal and Manchester City.
The Prem have released the confirmed schedule for Matchweek 37, the penultimate match before the end of the season.
It shows league leaders Arsenal will now contest their clash with Nottingham Forest at 5:30pm on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Man City have seen their fixture against Chelsea moved to the 4pm slot on Sunday.
Both games will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
Elsewhere, Tottenham's match against Brentford, which could end up being a decider for European football, has been moved to Saturday's early kick-off slot for BT Sport.
The other end of the table will see West Ham take on Leeds on Sunday at 2pm, which will also be shown on Sky.
- Ian Tuckey
Greenwood in Nike controversy
Mason Greenwood's social media profiles still say he is a Nike athlete – despite him being dropped by the global sports brand more than two months ago.
Manchester United fans spotted the mistake on the footballer's Twitter and Instagram accounts, which he hasn't posted on since January 2022.
The forward, 21, stopped playing for the Red Devils last year when he was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
Greenwood was cleared of any wrongdoing last month when the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges, but his future with the club remains uncertain.
Nike also terminated its multimillion-pound boot deal with the sportsman, who cannot play but is getting his £75,000-a-week wage.
He was officially let go when he was first charged, but a spokesperson suggested Greenwood's deal will not be renewed.
They said: "Mason Greenwood is no longer a Nike athlete."
However, he continues to publicly affiliate himself with the sportswear giant.
His Instagram, where he has 2.7 million followers, links to the official Nike football page, while he describes himself as a "Nike athlete" on Twitter, where he has 1.3 million.
Footie fans are demanding he "immediately" remove any mention of the brand.
- Ian Tuckey
Red Devils in the Frim for new defender
Manchester United have held talks with Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong as they plan for a firesale of defenders.
Frimpong, 22, has caught United’s attention with manager Erik ten Hag searching for someone to fill the right-back position.
According to Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils were prepared to listen to offers for Aaron Wan-Bissaka when Ten Hag arrived last summer but nothing concrete materialised.
Diogo Dalot, who will become a free agent at the end of next season, is also being chased by a host of clubs such as Juventus, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan.
The same report states that the pair could both be offloaded in the summer window as Ten Hag “prepares to sell at least three full-backs”.
Phil Jones is leaving when his contract expires in June, while we also revealed that Harry Maguire, who has been benched for the majority of the campaign, is a shock £50m target for Paris Saint-Germain.
United are also looking to offload fellow defenders Eric Bailly, Alex Telles and Brandon Williams.
- Ian Tuckey
Sevilla supremo 'not scared at all 'of Rashford
Sevilla president Pepe Castro says Marcus Rashford returning this evening "doesn’t scare me at all" and promised a "magical night"
United's fit-again main man is eyeing a start in the Europa League quarter-final, level at 2-2 after the first leg at Old Trafford.
Castrol told COPE: “It seems that the coach said he (Rashford) was going to play. He doesn’t scare me at all.
“The favourite is Manchester United. But it is true that they face Sevilla, the team with the most European titles and that has earned prestige in Europe.
"They are favourites. But the favourite does not always win.
“We will have a magical night, a football party. Nobody is going to take away our belief.”
Source: Read Full Article