FOOTIE fans likened a goalmouth scramble in Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Sevilla to ‘Sunday league’ football.
The Red Devils travelled to the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan stadium on Thursday night looking to progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.
BT SPORTA wild goalmouth scrambled took place on the Manchester United goal line in the second half of their clash with Sevilla[/caption]
GETTYThe Red Devils had Diogo Dalot to thank for them not going down three down[/caption]
But they were under the cosh for large portions of the second leg of their quarter-final tie – which they ended up losing 5-2 on aggregate.
And a scramble in front of David de Gea‘s goal in the 51st minute epitomised how badly United defended on the night.
A blocked header from Youssef En-Nesyri sparked pandemonium inside United’s six-yard box – with Lucas Ocampos having a shot blocked on the line.
Two more Sevilla players dived in to try and bundle the ball home but were met with fierce resistance on the line from Diogo Dalot.
And United eventually managed to clear their lines through Casemiro – although it wasn’t long before they were back under pressure.
Fans watching the game couldn’t quite believe their eyes, with one saying: “What an absolute shambles.”
Another said: “Shocking, Sunday league stuff!”
One remarked: “Defence filled with clowns who look like they are playing footie for the first time in their entire lives!”
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Another chimed in: “Sunday League rags.”
Former Red Devils midfielder and commentator for the night Robbie Savage was equally as baffled, asking: “What on earth is going on.- with this Manchester United?”
Sevilla ran out 3-0 winners on the night thanks to a brace from En-Nesyri and a strike from Loic Balde.
Manager Erik ten Hag said after the match: “We have to do better, that’s the demand. We were not composed, not calm.
“We didn’t beat the press, when you do there are so many spaces behind, and it was obvious at the start how to do it.
“We lost the battles, they had more passion, more desire, more willingness, that’s difficult to win games.
REUTERSErik ten Hag slammed his player’s lacklustre display at the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan[/caption]
“We can’t run away from it. On Sunday we have another opportunity and have to step up and show more character and personality.
“It’s not about them [the players they were missing], it’s about the players on the pitch.
“They have to perform, I believe in them and trust them but they have to show it and they were not good enough.
“We have shown on so many occasions good things but tonight we weren’t ready for the game.
“At this level, playing for Manchester United, you have to be ready for every game.
“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.
“We have to look forward to Sunday, that’s the next opportunity.”
Manchester United will be back in action on Sunday, travelling to Wembley to take on Brighton in their FA Cup semi-final tie.