Manchester United's second-half display against Sevilla was 'a complete disaster', says Paul Scholes
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ByEurosport
Updated 13/04/2023 at 21:55 GMT
Manchester United were leading 2-0 against Sevilla in their Europa League quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford thanks to two goals from Marcel Sabitzer. However, own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire late on means the two teams are all square heading into the second leg. Paul Scholes says Manchester United's second-half performance was "a complete disaster".
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Paul Scholes says Manchester United's second-half performance against Sevilla was "a complete disaster" and that the Premier League club they showed signs of complacency.
United were leading 2-0 against Sevilla in their Europa League quarter-final first leg before they let in two own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire in the final ten minutes of the match.
Lisandro Martinez also had to leave the pitch in the 90th minute with what looked to be a serious injury and Bruno Fernandes is suspended for the second leg after he picked up a yellow card in the first half.
After a disappointing night for United, Scholes says Malacia could have done more to keep out the first goal.
"The second half was a complete disaster," Scholes said on BT Sport. "Malacia really should have dealt with that first goal at source and he didn't. From then it was a really difficult night. I thought [Youssef] En-Nesyri was a bit of a handful when he came on.
"He looked good in the air but Malacia has to deal with that. He has to just get rid of it. He is unaware of the danger behind him.
"It just seemed to go from bad to worse. Injuries, suspensions, then they go and get the second goal. It's not a great second half for them."
Scholes also thought United underestimated Sevilla after taking a two-goal lead.
"I don't think the manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) would have allowed us to be complacent [when we played]," he said.
"When you are in a quarter-final like this, this is the time to win the game, this tie. It should have been 3, 4, 5-0 against the opposition that you are playing.
"The only thing you can think of is they felt it was going to be too easy. They thought it was just going to be a stroll in the park.
"You just can't do that in European competition or against a club like Sevilla. We know their record [in this competition]."
En-Nesyri's header in injury time looked to be going wide only for it to come off Maguire's face.
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves thought there was nothing Maguire could do to avoid the own goal.
"It was so difficult for Harry," he said. "He was just too close to it. It could have gone anywhere.
"I don't know how it ends up in the back of the net. When you see it back you think it's a great header.
"It was going so far wide it's almost unbelievable from En-Nesyri. There's nothing you can do. It goes straight off his forehand into the bottom corner. It's just so unlucky for Harry."
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