On the whole, it's been a season of progression for Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, but Thursday night's meek Europa League exit was reminiscent of the United side that endured their worst-ever Premier League campaign last year.
After throwing away a two goal lead in last week's first leg, United travelled to Sevilla knowing that there was plenty of work to be done if they were to advance to the semi-finals of a tournament they won back in 2017.
However, a calamitous mix-up between David de Gea and Harry Maguire in the eighth minute not only left United with a mountain to climb, but set the tone for the entire evening.
De Gea's decision to pass the ball to Maguire, who did offer himself up for the ball, whilst he was surrounded by three Sevilla players gifted Youssef En-Nesyri the opener. And the Spanish shot-stopper was culpable for Sevilla's two other goals, too, as the LaLiga outfit cantered to a 3-0 win on the night to advance into the final four of the competition.
In the wake of Thursday night's sobering defeat - and not for the first time this season - people have questioned whether De Gea is capable of meeting Ten Hag's demands by playing out from the back following his calamitous attempt at controlling the ball for Sevilla's third goal.
And even the Manchester United boss himself was left with egg on his face after he dismissed criticism of De Gea and branded him as a "complete" goalkeeper in the build-up to the match.
Join the debate! What did you make of De Gea's mistakes against Sevilla on Thursday night? Let us know here.
Speaking earlier this week, he said of De Gea: “Stopping goals, avoiding goals as that is the main job for a goalkeeper. You can do it in many more ways, everyone has their own particular style and nowadays in possession, it becomes more and more important, especially at the top level because there you take control and it is more difficult for the opponent to gain pressure, you also concede less chances.
“But at the end of the day it’s about stopping goals, stopping shots, stopping crosses, one-on-ones etc so that is more like the classic goalkeeper. I think David is really multi-functional and a really complete goalkeeper. We are very happy with him.”
United and De Gea are currently locked in negotiations over a new contract which would see the veteran extend his 12-year stint at Old Trafford on reduced terms.
Despite his errors on Thursday night, and reports claiming that United want to acquire a new goalkeeper in the summer, Ten Hag doubled down on his support for De Gea after the match. He said: "David de Gea as a long-term goalkeeper? He is the one with the cleanest sheets in the Premier League."
