Manchester United drew 2-2 with Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash at Old Trafford, with Marcel Sabitzer scoring a first-half brace before the Red Devils conceded two own goals.
United are still in the hunt to win three trophies this season, with Erik ten Hag's side set to face Brighton later this month in the semi-finals of the FA Cup having already won the League Cup back in February. However, they will now need to win in Sevilla to ensure they reach the semi-finals of the Europa League after letting their 2-0 lead slip.
It was an impressive performance from United in the first-half, who were not fazed by the absence of injured talisman Marcus Rashford, but they failed to make their dominance count and Sevilla got back into the game with Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire both putting the ball into their own net. Here are all the talking points...
1. Sabitzer presses case for permanent move
Since moving to Old Trafford on loan midway through the season, Sabitzer has largely impressed. The 29-year-old initially played in central midfield, but has been pushed further forward in United's last three games after they struggled for creativity with Christian Eriksen out injured.
In order to compensate for Eriksen's absence, Bruno Fernandes has dropped deeper with Sabitzer deployed in the no.10 role. And the Austrian international has delivered, assisting Rashford's winner against Brentford and now netting a brace against Sevilla.
Although Eriksen could return to the starting line-up now that he has recovered from his ankle injury, Sabitzer's performances mean Ten Hag will find it difficult to drop him and may persuade the Dutchman to try and make his loan move permanent in the summer.
Sabitzer himself has spoken glowingly of his time at United so far and appears keen to stay, telling BILD earlier this week: "Of course, my thoughts are on Manchester United, especially with the trust I get from Erik ten Hag - it's very positive. I've found my place here. Now I know the Premier League and can say there's nothing better."
2. Martial impresses in Rashford's absence
In what was United's first game without top scorer Rashford, who has netted 28 goals in all competitions but is now absent with a muscle injury, Ten Hag turned to Martial to lead the line.
Ten Hag handed the Frenchman his first start since January, having said in his pre-match press conference: "When he's in the team, we play our best football. The stats are telling you that the moment he is on the pitch the time he needs for a goal is really less."
And while it was Sabitzer who scored the goals, Martial played key roles in both of them, most notably assisting the second after picking up the ball in his own half, driving forward and then finding his teammate's run with an inch-perfect pass.
3. Fernandes to miss second leg
Fernandes was harshly booked for handball after the ball struck him on the arm as he slid in to block a shot from Nemanja Gudelj on the edge of the box.
The yellow card means he will be suspended for the second leg next week and legendary United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was fuming with referee Felix Zwayer's decision to book Fernandes. "That's not a yellow card," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Fernandes threw himself at the ball but where is his hand supposed to go? I agree with the free kick but it is nowhere near a yellow card."
4. Sancho lacking confidence
Jadon Sancho has failed to hit the same heights for United as he did for Borussia Dortmund since making a £73m move in 2021. The winger has made just seven goal contributions in 28 appearances in all competitions this season and has not scored since February.
He did think he had given United the lead after just 25 seconds, but the goal was ultimately ruled out for offside and Schmeichel was not impressed with the winger's performance. "Sancho has got to do better," he told 5 Live.
"He is just not focusing well and concentrating enough. We've seen him take on players earlier on in the season, I don't know if it is lack of confidence. The manager believes him and is giving him opportunities, he has managed him individually so I don't know why he should be lacking confidence."
5. Horror own goals
Sevilla got themselves back into the tie after drawing level late on, with both Malacia and Maguire scoring own goals. For the first own goal, United failed to clear a cross properly as Malacia let the ball run to former Manchester City star Jesus Navas and then diverted his effort past David de Gea.
Sevilla then equalised in added time after Youssef En-Nesyri powered a header towards goal which took an inadvertent deflection off Maguire and wrong-footed De Gea. The first goal in particular was the result of poor defending, with Robbie Savage ripping into Malacia for his "terrible" mistake.
"Malacia switches off," Savage said while commentating for BT Sport. "He leaves it thinking it is going out, it's some terrible defending."
6. Varane and Martinez injured
To make matters worse for United, both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez went off injured. The pair have been crucial to United's success under Ten Hag this season and Martinez's injury in particular looked very concerning.
The centre back went down with nobody around him and, given United had made all their substitutes at the time, it meant they were down to ten men when Sevilla got their equaliser.
And if United are without the suspended Fernandes, Rashford and their first-choice centre-back pairing for the return leg next week, then Sevilla will certainly be sensing an opportunity to beat them and knock them out of the competition.
