Patrick Rees
Manchester United’s performance away from home against Sevilla can be summed up with just one stat: 6 shots attempted in the entirety of 90 minutes and just one of them came on target. It certainly was a frustrating night, and even more frustrating for the travelling supporters who travelled 1500 miles just to see their beloved men play a full-fledged attacking football against a defensively struggling Spanish side.
For the spectators, it was a nostalgic performance, to say the least. Too many backward passes, struggling to get into the opposition box, lack of creativity, hardly an attempt on target and most of all, David De Gea keeping the club’s reputation amongst the top. The Spaniard produced a string of amazing saves and had it not been for him, United would have easily lost 2-0 or 3-0.
Talking statistically, Manchester United were playing their Champions League knockout game for the first time in four years and judging by their recent performances, a result if similar ilk was well and truly expected. However, a game as passionless as that was never anticipated.
United hardly troubled the home side and the closest who came was Romelu Lukaku. Alexis Sanchez’s well-worked long ball found the Belgian into the area and all he had to do was to keep the ball down and hit the target. He rather sent it over the post.
The Devils only register a single shot on target, which came from Scott McTominay but that was straight hit at the keeper.
Sevilla, on the other hand, were testing United’s resilience in absolute style. Besides testing De Gea in the early parts of the game, the home team came close on many occasions only to bow down to the Spaniard’s brilliance.
Apart from keeping the likes of Joaquin Correa and Steven N’Zonzi out, De Gea’s one notable save came off Luis Muriel. The Colombian striker was left alone at point-blank range but De Gea, god knows how, managed to keep his header out of the net.
So with the draw, United have drawn 22 matches in the Champions League goalless, a record they share with AC Milan. Also, the Devils faced 25 shots in this match – only against Arsenal in December (33) have they faced more in a match this season.
Meanwhile, the fans were left fuming with the performance and the character that the players showed. This is how they reacted:
Need help sleeping tonight? Just watch the replays of this match and you’ll be out in no time!
— Joakim Gray (@JoakimGray) February 21, 2018
Man Utd played boring Mourinho football tonight. Why was Pogba, Martial & Bailly on the bench? Jones, Rojo & Shaw weren’t even on the bench. Pogba should be a starter in big games. Play Martial on the left wing & Sanchez on the right wing next time. #MUFC
— CR7 (@ronaldo7goal) February 21, 2018
The worst coaching performance I’ve ever seen! Jose is going backwards, let me coach for a day please
— Nur (@Mistanur) February 21, 2018
LVG-esque performance.
— Ryan. 🔴 (@Vintage_Utd) February 21, 2018
Poor attacking game, needed an away goal to take back to Old Trafford!
De Gea man of the match without a doubt.
Mourinho needs to start martial next time!#GGMU— Miz Hadzic (@MizHadzic) February 21, 2018
Manuel Neuer has posters of David De Gea on his bedroom wall. 🙌🏼#GOAT
— Robbie Maguire (@MaguireRobbie) February 21, 2018
SACK MOURINHO NOW ENOUGH IS ENOUGH #MOURINHOOUT pic.twitter.com/pJCs06fHRe
— 🇫🇷 (@RonaIdo7i) February 21, 2018
Joke performance
— Younis (@YounisArshad1) February 21, 2018
Park the bus merchant.
We created ONE CHANCE for Lukaku.
Spurs away to Juventus – Kane missed a sitter and played in to score in first 45.
Liverpool- went away scored 5 and scored 3 c Sevilla
Chelsea hit the post twice and scored v Barcelona
WE CREATE NOTHING! #MUFC
— PMLEGEND™ (@PMLEGEND) February 21, 2018
I feel so sorry for De Gea.
— Jack Dapson (@jackaroo2011) February 21, 2018
Mourinho out, outdated manager
— ®ando (@RandoMufc) February 21, 2018
Erect a statue of David De Gea and the broken fax machine!
— Joe Mburu (@JoeMburu12) February 21, 2018
I didn’t sign up to be a @ManUtd fan for this nonsense. Since 2001 this is our worst performance
This is not fair to the fans#MourinhoOut— Bellarmine Iwuala (@Shimbella) February 21, 2018
Mourinho out. He’s a waste of money and time
— Michael Quist (@quistbb570300) February 21, 2018
JOSE OUT!! STOP BRINGING IN DEFENSIVE MANAGERS WHEN WE ARE ABOUT ATTACK
— keenan fitzhenry (@keenanfitzhenry) February 21, 2018
De gea is the only reason why Man U is still playing in the UCL,EPL and Fa Cup . #DaveSaves
— Vernon Vaz (@vernonvaas) February 21, 2018
Give De Gea 30 year extension
— Nick 👑 (@iKidLokii) February 21, 2018
Refund the fans
— The Belgian Zidane (@TheFellainiLife) February 21, 2018
Some fans flew out to Spain to watch that.
What a waste.
— Billy-Bob Sanders (@GunLuvinBillBob) February 21, 2018
I wasted 2hrs of my time watching this thing
You guys make us regret supporting Manchester United
Some players deserve to be stripped off their jerseys
Ashley young is the first— Foster Pobi (@foster_pobi) February 21, 2018
De Gea deserves better
— DrayRoyalBeats (@DrayRoyal) February 21, 2018
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