Europa League: Sevilla beat 'sloppy' Manchester United on aggregate to advance to semis
Sevilla will face Italian giants Juventus in the semi-finals after the Old Lady beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 on aggregate.
Ten Hag criticised his "unacceptable" team, saying they lacked spirit compared to their opponents.
"We have to be better, it's not about playing skills, it's about character, to be composed and have desire and passion -- they had more willingness to win and it can't be, I think that's unacceptable," the coach told reporters. "Even though they are a great team and the ambience was also great, with a lot of positive energy in the stadium, we have to deal with it, we have to do better."
Ten Hag started with Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw on the bench with the duo on their way back from injury.
With the stadium rocking, Sevilla threw themselves into the game with great intensity and were swiftly rewarded by Maguire. With Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane injured, Ten Hag had no choice but to start with the Englishman at centre-back alongside Victor Lindelof. Maguire rolled the ball back to goalkeeper De Gea and called to receive it again from the Spanish goalkeeper, seemingly nonplussed about the three Sevilla players buzzing around him.
As Maguire tried to pass the ball, former Tottenham winger Erik Lamela intercepted it and En-Nesyri took charge of the situation and stroked it past De Gea at his near post.
United tried to fight back but created few chances of note, shorn of suspended playmaker Bruno Fernandes.
Sevilla thought they had netted a second goal when Lucas Ocampos rammed home to ignite the Pizjuan again but VAR showed a tight offside against Marcos Acuna in the build-up.
The hosts looked every bit the Europa League experts their outstanding record illustrates, rather than their domestic version, battling relegation.
Friday, April 21, 2023 at 3:17 am