MAN UNITED 1, SEVILLA FC 2
(Sevilla won 2-1 on aggregate)
Manchester United’s dream of Champions League glory became a nightmare as they bowed out to Spanish side Sevilla FC in the last 16.
It was a hugely disappointing night for the Reds at Old Trafford where Sevilla substitute Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice in the space of four minutes.
The Frenchman scored his 18th and 19th goals of the season in all competitions including six in the group stage of Champions League, two of which were against Liverpool.
United were left needing to score three times in the last 12 minutes – plus four of added time. And though Romelu Lukaku pulled a goal back it was a case of too little, too late.
And there can be few complaints as United came up short when playing one of Spain’s top teams that has bags of European experience.
United manager Jose Mourinho didn’t think his side played badly, but took the blow philosophically, saying: “We don’t want to make a drama out of it. We have a match on Saturday and don’t have time to be sad for more than 24 hours. It is not the end of the world.
“I have sat in this chair when Manchester United have lost in the Champions League to Porto and Real Madrid who won here. It is not new for the club to lose at home.”
Mourinho added the first goal was always going to be important.
He continued: “Sometimes substitutions have come off for me, but it was a great move by Vincenzo (Montella) to bring on Ben Yedder. He scored the goal that changed the game.
“I have no regrets. The players did their best as I did. That’s football.”
United made two changes from the side that started against Liverpool.
There were recalls for Marouane Fellaini and Jesse Lingard at the expense of Juan Mata and Scott McTominay.
Paul Pogba had recovered from injury, but was only fit enough for a place on the bench alongside Mata and Anthony Martial.
United began on the front foot and Lukaku had a chance after 63 seconds, but blazed over from 22 yards.
Lukaku had another chance not long after, but Clement Lenglet got back to make an important block.
Marcus Rashford then had a free kick deflect that forced keeper Sergio Rico into a scrambling save.
Sevilla showed their attacking prowess when a looping header from Joaquin Correa from a Ever Banega corner landed on the roof of the net. And that was following by Luis Muriel and Franco Vasquez both firing over when well placed.
The Spaniards remained a threat and had a great chance on the break when Pablo Sarabia fed Muriel who pulled his shot narrowly wide of the far post.
United had the best chance of the night in the 37th minute when Alexis Sanchez set up Fellaini who forced a fine save from keeper Rico.
Sevilla could have snatched a lead soon after the restart when Correa wriggled free only to be denied by Eric Bailly’s sliding clearance while Vasquez, following up, fired wide.
United had a great chance to break the deadlock when Lukaku set up Lingard whose angled shot was well turned away by Rico.
The Reds made their first change just short of the hour when Fellaini made way for Pogba.
United fans were becoming increasingly frustrated with chants of “attack, attack” sounding out before Pogba saw a shot whistle just wide.
Sevilla then stunned United by taking a 74th minute lead.
A neat passing move ended with substitute Ben Yedder, who hadn’t been on the field for 87 seconds scored the fasted goal in the Champions League by a substitute in the current campaign. He fired low past David De Gea from just inside the box
Mourinho’s response was a double change as Martial and Mata replaced Lingard and Valencia.
But the night got worse as Sevilla doubled their lead with a second goal in four minutes.
Ben Yedder struck again as his header was only parried into the air by De Gea and it spun back over the line before being cleared.
Sevilla could have scored more as Correa forced a fine save from De Gea and Ben Yedder, following up, had his goalbound shot blocked by Chris Smalling.
Lenglat then headed narrowly wide with De Gea rooted to the spot as United were reeling.
Yet United somehow got a toehold back into the game. Lukaku, who had moments earlier blazed over, made no mistake from inside the six-yard box after Nemanja Matic flicked on Rashford’s corner, his 24th goal of the season.
Rashford then saw a header flash narrowly wide as the Reds so nearly made it 2-2.
But committed to all-out attack, United were vulnerable on the counter and in stoppage time Ben Yedder burst clear only for De Gea to block with his right leg.
The final whistle was followed by joyous celebrations by the visitors as Mourinho trudged dejectedly to the changing room.