Marcus Rashford's absence from the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal on Thursday, according to Sevilla manager Jose Luis Mendilibar, has "not changed anything" for his team.
At Old Trafford, the Spanish club—which has won the championship a record six times—takes on United in an effort to advance in the standings before the second leg next week. Mendilibar and club captain Ivan Rakitic spoke during a news conference prior to the game and his team's practice on the field at M16.
Given the news that Rashford would be sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Sevilla manager was questioned about the strategy his team will employ in the match.
"No it's not changed anything," he replied. "For the players that will play in our defence, if Rashford plays or another opponent plays it might be different for those defenders, but it won't be any different for us."
"We knew about the injury at the weekend but at no point have we adjusted the tactics or how we play because whether he plays or not they [Manchester United] have fantastic players."
"He has been playing as a lone forward but they have other forwards in that position. Whoever plays, we know that whoever comes in for Rashford will be just as good."
Mendilibar disputed the notion that United were the favorites going into this match, claiming that Sevilla's history in Europe made them a threat to Erik ten Hag's side.
"[It is] my first game in the Europa League managing a team. I face up to it with an amazing willingness to play this game and compete in this game," he said.
"The idea will always be to respect our opponents and try to win the game. I am convinced they will try and win this game too and our history, as Sevilla, is perhaps even bigger than theirs. We are going to focus on the game to compete and focus on winning it."
"We have to compete against them. We have to compete with the weapons we have. [They are] at such a high level, Manchester United, we know that. They have so many players and a big budget."
Ivan Rakitic agreed with his coach's assessment and reaffirmed that this season, himself and his teammates have their sights set on winning the Europa League.
"Manchester United will be favourites, but the history of Sevilla in the Europa League, we want to continue that."
"We compete really, really well in training sessions and I think the [manager] has come with that same belief to keep doing well and have an important say in the Europa League."
"We want to compete tomorrow. We have prepared in the best way possible and the idea of going home and being alive, I don't like that expression. This is our competition," Rakitic stated.
Following confirmation of his injury, Marcus Rashford, issued an encouraging message to the team's supporters.
The forward's absence from the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal against Sevilla was confirmed on Wednesday morning after he was forced off against Everton on Saturday.
"Assessment of the injury suggested Marcus will be unavailable for a few games, but is expected to be back for the run-up to the season," the Manchester United's official website update stated.
The 25 year old academy graduate has sent fans an encouraging message in response to a tweet from the official Manchester United account on Twitter, @ManUtd.
He wrote, "I'm working diligently with the physio to get back ASAP. See you soon."
Rashford is already diligently preparing for his comeback under the guidance of Manchester United's skilled medical staff, according to Erik ten Hag, who spoke during the team's pre-game news conference.
"Of course it is a setback and he is disappointed about it but he is not totally broken because he knows he will return quickly," said the boss to reporters.
"He is optimistic and he has started straight on his recovery and his rehab. That helps him to get back soon."
The topic of how the Reds will fare without Rashford and whether Anthony Martial, who has recently returned from injury himself, is ready to start matches after three substitute appearances against Newcastle United, Brentford, and Everton quickly came up ahead of our Europa League quarterfinal.
"I think he is ready to start a game, yeah," said Ten Hag during his Wednesday press conference.
"I think already against Everton he was ready to start the game. But I have to say that the front line against Brentford and Everton worked really well. We were continually a threat and it was difficult for the opponent to defend."
"The advantage was also that we could bring Anthony Martial slowly back into the team, give him some minutes and get him used to games at the highest level, and highest intensity."
Anthony Martial has only made 17 appearances this season, nine of which have been as a substitute, but he has been involved in nine goals. One of these occurred only two minutes after he came off the bench to replace Bruno Fernandes in last October's 3-2 away win over Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus, his sole Europa League appearance to date.
"You say I have defended him but I just point to the stats," said Ten Hag, when challenged by a reporter on his unwavering support of the 27 year old France international.
"The stats are telling you that the moment he is on the pitch, the time he needs for a goal is [short]."
"When he is in the team, I refer to games against Man City and Liverpool, we play our best football and we have the best results as a team. So yeah, if you can say I defended him, I am just pointing to the stats and I see how he contributes to this team."
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