Manchester United in danger of Europa League elimination

By Peter Ochieng

English Premier League (EPL) side Manchester United face the real danger of Europa League elimination at the quarter-final stage.

On Thursday night, the Red Devils threw away a 2-0 half time lead to draw 2-2 against Spanish side, Sevilla in the first leg match of the quarter-final clash at Old Trafford.

Marcel Sabitzer scored United's both goals in the first half.

Sevilla ploughed themselves back in the contest with two second half own goals from United captain Harry Maguire and full back Tyrell Malacia.

Sevilla got the second goal after defender Lisandro Martinez was pulled off over what seemed to be a terrible injury.

The Argentine was carried off the pitch by Sevilla's Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna who also play for the Argentina national team.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Had said Martinez's injury does not look good at all.

There are high chances that he may miss the return leg in Seville next Thursday.

Former Manchester United goal keeper Peter Schmeichel who was at Old Trafford for BBC Radio critisized his former side for lack of management and leadership, after allowing Martinez to be taken off the pitch by opposition players.

"It looks like the Sevilla players are nice carrying him off the pitch. No, they wanted him out so they could get going. By carrying him off, it didn't stop their momentum, Manchester United used their five subs so they knew he wouldn't come back," he said.

"It didn't give the manager or the players the opportunity to have a conversation. United's players should have stopped that, leave him on the pitch, let them [the physios] come on and carry him out and in that period, you regroup. This is something the players need to do, that's a lack of leadership on the pitch. Harry Maguire should have managed that situation. When the manager sees that his player is carried off by two opposition players, he should have stopped that."

Before Martinez was carried off, his partner in defence Rafael Verane had been stretched off in the first half.

The two players, alongside injured striker Marcus Rashford and suspended Bruno Fernandes are expected to miss the second leg.

United need a win of any margin to advance to the semis, which at this stage seems daunting against six time record Europa league winners, Sevilla.

In other matches, Bayern Leverkusen drew 1-1 against Royale Union, Juventus beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0 as Feyenoord registered a similar scoreline win against AS Roma.