Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says his side were unlucky after their 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday.
On-loan midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored a first half brace to see United cruising and fully in control of the tie early on. The game even looked done and dusted as the Red Devils could have even made it three or four.
Ten Hag’s side were made to rue those missed chances, as Sevilla crawled back their way to 2-2, courtesy of two own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire late on.
To make matters worse, the Red Devils lost Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane to injury on a night that saw more negatives than positive.
Ten Hag rues ‘unlucky’ injuries
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag admitted it was a difficult one to take, especially with the case of losing his two centrebacks to injury.
“There were some unlucky moments, injuries. We had to make some subs with injuries. Rapha [Varane] at half-time. Also Anthony Martial, we had to sub him because it was his first game after [injury] – his first start. Antony as well, and Bruno [Fernandes] because they were close to a second booking. So we had to make some subs and then lose control in the unlucky moment [Sevilla’s first goal]. Another unlucky moment with Licha Martinez.”
“We have 10 [men] and we conceded two own goals. It was bad luck and we have to deal with that. Of course, we have to learn, we have to kill the game but still everything is open for the next game.”
“We have seen Licha Martinez drop out after a moment. There was no opponent involved so it doesn’t look that great so we have to wait. I can’t say in this moment [what it is], the same as Rapha. I think it is for after the game, but that injury, he [has] complained [about] over the last couple of weeks and we have to see how it is now.”
Reflecting on the injuries, he added: “We have very good replacements. Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw. We have the players who can replace them. But of course, it is a miss.”
Manchester United will now be hoping they can kill the game in Seville and might be forced to do it without their key centrebacks as well as Bruno Fernandes, who will miss out due to suspension.
In the Premier League as well, United cannot afford any slipups against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, or could be in danger of missing out on a top-four finish.
