Manchester United-Sevilla is a match valid for the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals and is played on Thursday at 9 pm: tv, predictions.
Manchester United can no longer hide. Having eliminated Arsenal, it is precisely the Red Devils who are the big favorites to win the 2022-23 Europa League: indeed, none of the teams that finished in the top eight of the international competition can boast the same technical level of the squad at the disposal of Erik ten Hag, the “rebirth” coach.
The Dutch coach, who landed in England after a lasting and happy experience on the Ajax bench, inherited a situation that was complicated to say the least, with his predecessors having racked up failure after failure. Having overcome the initial difficulties and solved the Ronaldo “dough,” his United side began to get into gear. Despite having to cope with a few slip-ups – for example, the resounding 7-0 loss to Liverpool last March – Bruno Fernandes and co. are keeping the tiller straight. Having put a trophy in their trophy case six years after the last time – in the League Cup final they prevailed over Newcastle – they are still in the running on three fronts. In the league, Manchester United is fourth and can boast a good margin over fifth (which has played one more game): at home, the Red Devils are not used to leaving even crumbs behind – only two defeats on the season, moreover, dating back to August and September – and in the last two rounds they have brought home as many victories against Brentford and Everton, both of which they beat at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag with the doubtful Rashford
While waiting to play the FA Cup semifinal with Brighton, they will have to contend with another Spaniard in the Europa League. In the group stages Manchester United had found Real Sociedad on their way, while in the first two knockout rounds they had to face first Barcelona and then Betis. In the quarters, the destination does not change: ten Hag and his men will return to Seville, but this time against the other city club.
A Sevilla lineup
For the Red and White, it is not an easy year, far from it. Excluding the excellent run in the Europa League, an event with which Sevilla always has a certain feeling – they have won it six times in the past, most recently in 2020 after eliminating Manchester United themselves in the semifinals – in La Liga, the Andalusians are resoundingly struggling not to relegate. Before the last national team break they exonerated Jorge Sampaoli, who in turn had taken Lopetegui’s place, relying on Jose Luis Mendilibar. With the new coach, things seem to be improving (four points in the last two games) and the team is now +5 over the red zone. In the international arena, however, Sevilla seems to be transforming and in the previous two rounds they knocked off two fearsome opponents such as Psv Eindhoven and Fenerbahçe. On both occasions the red and white had won the first leg outright at home, being able to afford to lose by a narrow margin in the return. Manchester United is grappling with the Rashford doubt: the striker is not at his best and will not be risked. In compensation, however, Eriksen is back available. In Sevilla, on the other hand, the absentees are “Tecatito” Corona and Jordan.
The prediction
Old Trafford is a fort this year: Manchester United has not lost at home since September. Despite the fact that the record says Sevilla, it’s shaping up to be a complicated night for the Andalusians, who have a poor away performance and are unlikely to avoid defeat. The Red Devils could also keep their goal unbeaten.
The probable lineups of Manchester United-Sevilla
- MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lisandro Martínez, Malacia; Casemiro, McTominay; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho; Martial.
- SEVILLE (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Montiel, Badé, Marcão, Acuña; Fernando, Gudelj; Ocampos, Rakitić, Gil; En-Nesyri.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
