Man Utd blow Europa League lead as Sevilla net two freak late own goals

Sevilla produced a stunning late comeback against Manchester United to secure a vital 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

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Marcel Sabitzer scored twice in the first half to put United 2-0 up at Old Trafford on Thursday but own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire in the 85th and 92nd minutes silenced the home crowd in a dramatic conclusion to the match.

Lisandro Martinez was carried off by medical staff late on with what appeared to be an Achilles injury and the Argentina international looked to be in tears as United had to play the final few minutes with 10 men – due to the fact Erik ten Hag’s side had used up all five substitutes – when United were still leading 2-1.

Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, is ruled out of the second leg on April 20 after being shown a yellow card and Rapahel Varane was hauled off at half-time after picking up a knock in what became a nightmare of a night for the Red Devils.

United started the game strongly and had the ball in the back of the net in under a minute but Jadon Sancho’s composed finish was correctly ruled out for offside.

Ten Hag’s men kept pressing, though, and Fernandes’ impressive pass found Sabitzer to give them the lead after 14 minutes with his powerful effort beating Sevilla goalkeeper Bono after it took a deflection on the way in.

Just seven minutes later and Sabitzer made it 2-0 to put United in control of the tie after Anthony Martial’s slick through ball, with no-one picking up the late run of the Austria international midfielder, who registered his second and third goals for the club.

Malacia wasted a big chance with eight minutes to play and then switched off as Sevilla scored moments later when former Manchester City man Jesus Navas hit a cross which deflected off the defender – and then De Gea – into the net.

Martinez then went off injured – with United forced to play with 10 men – and the Red Devils conceded in added time through Maguire’s own goal as Youssef En-Nesyri’s header hit him in the face and flew past De Gea to spark wild celebrations in the away end.

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