Sevilla 2, Manchester United 1 (Europa League Semi Final)
Two ex-Premier League players came back to haunt Manchester United as they were dumped out of the Europa League at the semi final stage by Sevilla after leading the game.
Bruno Fernandes had put the Reds ahead from the penalty spot but that was cancelled out by a goal by ex-Liverpool midfielder Suso.
United were made to pay for a wasteful spell after half time when they really should have put the game beyond Sevilla but for some last ditch interventions by Bono to deny United’s famed front trio of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and especially Anthony Martial.
It subsequently turned out that Bono’s saves gave Sevilla the Edge in the game when the Spanish players bided their time and took the chance to score when it came.
Ex-Manchester City winger Jesus Navas evaded Aaron Wan-Bissaka to put in an inch perfect cross which was converted by Luuk de Jong – a one time Newcastle United loan striker.
And another ex-City player – Fernando – legally denied Fernandes a penalty claim as United were dumped out of their third competition at the semi final stage this season following defeats in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Defeat meant that no English clubs would contest European club finals this season and United would go without a trophy for the third season on the trot – the longest run since four successive seasons between 1985 and 1989.
David De Gea was one of two changes for United from the quarter final tie against FC Copenhagen and the Spanish ‘keeper replaced Sergio Romero while Victor Lindelof replaced Eric Bailly as United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Manchester United’s 22nd penalty of a remarkable season was won by Marcus Rashford who won the spot kick after being brought down by a rash challenge in the area by Diego Carlos on the follow-through.
Sevilla fielded two ex-Manchester City players in Fernando and converted full back (and captain) Jesus Navas while de Jong was on the bench.
Bruno Fernandes scored his 19th straight penalty to notch his 12th goal for United since joining in January – his 27th of the season in all.
It was the first goal that Sevilla had conceded in 5 games and Fred could have doubled the lead after being released by Fernandes but was forced on to his right foot and fired wide.
All eyes were on De Gea after he was tested by a shot by Lucas Ocampos and the equaliser wasn’t far away despite United putting the Spanish under immense pressure.
But it was Sevilla who scored next as Sergio Reguilon’s pass across the front of the 6 yard box was clipped in by former Liverpool man Suso at the back post after the Spanish had won a throw-in that should have been United’s.
VAR could not overrule that and the goal stood.
Martial curled a shot over after Pogba slid him in while Bono parried long range efforts from Rashford while the quick Reds forward had the ball nicked off him just before half time after Pogba’s astute pass had released him into a 2v2 situation.
Mason Greenwood controlled a great pass from Fernandes but shot straight at Bono after the break as United continued to shade the game.
Martial had several close range shots blocked by Bono while Fernando blocked a shot by Fernandes as United became frustrated with another goalkeeper having a superb game.
There were claims for handball by Fernandes after a Jordan free kick which was rejected by VAR and Greenwood marked United’s 20th attempt with a chance which was comfortably taken by Bono.
And United were undone by a goal by Luuk de Jong who ended a 11 game goal drought with a tap in from 5 yards after Aaron Wan Bissaka failed to track a run by Jesus Navas and Brandon Williams couldn’t block the Sevilla captain whose inch perfect cross came in and was converted with Victor Lindelof nowhere to be seen.
Fernando escaped a penalty claim after a VAR check following a tackle in the Sevilla box that saw Fernandes crumple to the ground.
Solskjaer rolled the dice with late changes to bring on Daniel James, Juan Mata, and Odion Ighalo but United had long run out of ideas – they had created 33 chances in the games against FC Copenhagen and Sevilla – 20 chances tonight – with just two penalties to show for it.
But it was Sevilla going through to their fifth Europa League final.
GOALS – Sevilla 2, Manchester United 1 (Europa League Semi Final)
Sevilla 0, Man Utd 1: 9. Bruno Fernandes’ hop returned to his spot kicks as he fired United into the lead, slamming the ball into the back of the net on the left side after Marcus Rashford had been brought down by a rash challenge by Diego Carlos.
Sevilla 1, Man Utd 1: 26. Sevilla equalised after United were caught cold by a Sevilla build-up down the United right side which ended with Suso clipping home Sergio Reguilon’s left wing cross in front of the 6-yard box.
Sevilla 2, Man Utd 1: 78. Luuk de Jong came off the bench and was unmarked as he converted an inch perfect cross by Jesus Navas into the unguarded net to score his first goal in 11 games.
MATCH STATS – Sevilla 2, Manchester United 1 (Europa League Semi Final)
Sevilla: Bono, Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Reguilon, Jordan (Gudelj 88), Fernando, Banega, Suso (Vazquez 75), En-Nesyri (De Jong 56), Ocampos (El Haddadi 56)
Sevilla Subs not used: Vaclik, Gomez, Escudero, Torres, Alonso Lara, Diaz, Rodriguez, Perez Rico
Booked: Carlos 21 (foul on Anthony Martial); El Haddadi
Goal: Suso 26; de Jong 78
Man Utd: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka (James 88), Lindelof, Maguire, Williams, Fernandes, Fred, Pogba, Greenwood (Ighalo 90+3), Rashford (Mata 88), Martial
Man Utd Subs not used: Romero, Bailly, Grant, Lingard, Pereira, Fosu-Mensah, Matic, McTominay, Mengi
Booked: Williams 16 (foul on Joan Jordan); Maguire 86 (foul on Munir El Haddadi); Rashford
Goals: Fernandes pen 9
Referee: Felix Brych