Manchester United have been drawn against Sevilla in the Europa League quarterfinals, which means they will be playing another La Liga side for the fourth time this season in Europe.
They have already faced Real Sociedad in the group stages of the competition while setting up meetings with FC Barcelona and Real Betis en route to the quarterfinals qualification. Although the Red Devils have learned to be wary of their Spanish opponents as they have been their kryptonite in the past few years in European games,
Arsenal's exit from the competition after crashing out on penalties to Sporting CP means Manchester United are the only English team left in the competition. While Erik Ten Hag's side will be looking to draw inspiration from their results against the La Liga outfits they have faced this season, here are the positives and negatives of playing Sevilla in the Europa League quarterfinals.
Negatives: Sevilla's Europa League record
talking about pedigree in the Europa League, just as Real Madrid are the masters of the UEFA Champions League. Sevilla boasts of winning the UEFA Europa League a record six times, winning it three consecutive years in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Their last triumph was a testament, as they beat Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool 3-1 in Basilea. Erik Ten Hag has already indicated that their clear experience in the competition gives them an unfair advantage, which makes them a dangerous opponent.
Manchester United have never beaten Sevilla.
Well, this is a record the Red Devils fans will not want to talk much about; yes, their team has a poor record against Spanish teams, but Sevilla is a different type of pain.
The La Liga side eliminated the Red Devils in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 in 2018 under Jose Mourinho's management. They also ended Ole Solskjaer's hope of lifting a trophy as they inflicted a 2-1 defeat on the Red Devils in a one-legged tie (this was due to COVID-19 regulations).
While Erik Ten Hag's side might be confident heading into the game, given their heroics this campaign, their head-to-head stats against Sevilla are actually showing a red flag.
Positives: Sevilla's poor form and away stats this season
While their home form has been good so far this season, Sevilla have suffered heavy losses away from their home turf in Seville. Away losses to the top teams in La Liga as well as getting kicked out of the UEFA Champions League by Manchester United's domestic rival Manchester City while drawing blanks in a two-legged tie show how poor they are this season.
Their position on the La Liga table also exposed their flaws this season; they are 13th on the table while sitting 2 points clear of the relegation zone, which would at least boost Erik Ten Hag's men's confidence going into the tie next April.
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