Champions League Preview: Sevilla vs Manchester United
By Ollie Slack
Manchester United travel to Spain when they take on Sevilla in the last 16 of the Champions League tonight.
The match is the Red Devils first game in the knockout stages of the competition since 2014 when they lost to Bayern Munich under David Moyes. But how will hey fare tonight against the five-time Europa League champions?
Both sides come into the last 16 stage of the competition having lost only one of their group matches. However, Manchester Unite qualified top of Group A, winning the rest of their games. Sevilla on the other hand, came second in Group E behind United’s rivals Liverpool, winning two and drawing 3.
Sevilla Form
It won’t be an easy nights work for Jose Mourinho’s men for sure, especially at ‘La Bombonera de Nervión’. Sevilla have only lost twice on home soil in their last three Champions League campaigns. And they’ve continued that stellar form this season as well only being defeated once at home in La Liga too. Only Barcelona and Atlético have lost less, not being defeated at their own grounds yet.
However, it hasn’t been all plain sailing for the Spanish giants. Sevilla have been torn apart on a number of occasions this season, conceding five goals on four separate occasions. Three of those occasions have come away from home though, so all may not be lost if United suffer defeat tonight.
Manchester United Form
Manchester United’s away form in the Champions League over recent years has been much the opposite of Sevilla’s home form. United have only won three out of their last 11 Champions League away days. However, before this season under Jose Mourinho, that record was considerably worse. Under David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal United only managed one win from eight.
Manchester United’s overall record away from home this season hasn’t been as strong as they would have hoped for. However, if United wanted a manager for the knockout occasions, Jose Mourinho is certainly their man. He’s already delivered two trophies at Old Trafford, the League Cup and Europa League. On the way to winning Manchester United’s first ever Europa League last season, the Red Devils played their last fixture against a Spanish club in a two-legged affair, in Celta Vigo. United won that tie comfortably.
Remind yourself of United’s last Champions League knockout fixture from four years ago:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Az1_l33rY
Manchester United Team News
The latest team news is that Paul Pogba will not start tonight.
CONFIRMED team to play Sevilla: De Gea, Valencia (c), Smalling, Lindelof, Young, Herrera, Matic McTominay, Mata, Lukaku, Sanchez.
Scott McTominay and Ander Herrera are expected to sit either side of Nemanja Matic. Possibly a reward for McTominay’s terrific performances of late. Especially on the weekend against Huddersfield.
It will be a big test for Ander Herrera. His first game back after injury could be tonight and what a test. The Spanish-born midfielder will have plenty on his plate with the likes of Éver Banega and former Premier League star Steven N’Zonzi surrounding him.
Like many other United fans, I hope Jose Mourinho does play a 433 system. Not playing Pogba in a game on Europe’s biggest stage is a big risk. But, perhaps Jose was impressed, like I was, at how United coped without the Frenchman in that 2-0 victory over Huddersfield on Saturday.
This, even more, emphasises the link up play between Sanchez and Lukaku. They both have the pace, strength, power, precision, and skill to create something out of nothing. So sit tight as we absorb the Sevilla pressure, but revel when you see the Chilean and Belgian break.
A key area
The one key where I think the match could be decided tonight is on set pieces. Sevilla have scored 17 this season and Manchester United 16. The Spanish club posses the height of Vázquez, N’Zonzi, Lenglet, Pizzaro and Correra. And Mourinho has built his team with giants. Smalling, Matic, McTominay and Lukaku all start this evening.
A real benefit to having Chris Smalling in the side his aerial dominance, shown against Huddersfield on Saturday. No doubt he would have picked up the MOTM award had Lukaku not bagged his two goals. He and Victor Lindelof complete each other very nicely. The Swede’s best performances have been alongside Smalling.
Next: Why Paul Pogba has to improve, irrespective of his position!
Summary
Manchester United will have to sit in deep at times to absorb lots of Sevilla pressure. The Spanish club will try not to rely on their away form by aiming to get a comfortable lead heading to Old Trafford. But United have the quality on the counter to hurt this Sevilla team as well. And if Sanchez and Lukaku link up as well as they did on Saturday, then I think Jose can return home with a 1-0 victory.