Ivan Rakitic of Sevilla has guaranteed that against Manchester United this week, Sevilla will give it their all.
Sevilla's comeback in the Europa League first leg at Old Trafford, when they went from two goals down to tie 2-2, has given them new hope.
Ivan Rakitic of Sevilla thinks the La Liga team's home advantage will matter in the second leg. He visited Sevilla while representing Barcelona in the away dressing room, thus he is aware of the importance of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium's home crowd.
Erik ten Hag's side will face an intimidating and boisterous environment, Rakitic warned while speaking to AS.
"These people don’t know what awaits them on Thursday. It is a team with a lot of experience and many millions, but United does not know what Ramón Sanchez-Pizjuán is like packed. I know from when I was at Barcelona that players from other teams sing the Sevilla anthem on the pitch," he said.
“It’s unique. What our fans have created is very impressive”
He forewarned that Casemiro and David de Gea, two players who are familiar with the venue, will be anxious.
“De Gea or Casemiro," Ivan Rakitic continued. "who have played here, will surely explain to them that this is something else. You get anywhere and they say that this is Sevilla’s competition."
“They are going to have to suffer, I cannot guarantee that we will qualify but we are going to leave everything on the field.”
An unfavorable record versus Sevilla exists for David de Gea in particular. In eight attempts, including a loss to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey championship, he has yet to defeat them. However, during his final trip with Manchester United in 2018, he managed to maintain a clean sheet.
Against Sevilla, Casemiro has a superior record. In 16 games versus them, he has only suffered four losses, and he hasn't suffered a loss since 2018. He has only ever done it once against them, the sole Spanish team.
Rakitic acknowledged Manchester United's ability to entice Casemiro to the club last summer. "We are talking about one of the most important teams in Europe and with significant economic potential. There are few teams that can take away a Real Madrid starter, Casemiro, that speaks of the strength and potential of Manchester United.”
The presence of players who have previously played for Sevilla will undoubtedly benefit United. Scott McTominay and Victor Lindelof both started for United in the 0-0 draw from last year, however the latter's readiness for the game is in question.
With the FA Cup semifinal taking place at Wembley two days later, United is concerned about how much a victory may drain the team's energies. However, going into the match against Brighton on the heels of a loss would be much more detrimental.
Meanwhile, Anthony Martial has been tipped to change his fate at Old Trafford.
When you thought there was no more spring there, Anthony Martial goes on another hop. His time at Manchester United has had a lot of ups and downs.
The following season saw an improvement after an exciting debut in the Premier League, but the removal of his No. 9 shirt appeared to have taken his ability to finish with it as his goals fell off the following three seasons and injuries took hold. Martial recorded his highest-ever goal total of 23 in the 2019–20 season, however the surge was short-lived.
The Frenchman scored just seven goals the year before, managed just two goals last season, and had a miserable loan stint at Sevilla.
Anthony Martial most likely felt the effects of the manager's excellent coaching first. He performed admirably during preseason, reigniting hopes that he may finally turn out to be the attacker United needed. Then the injuries struck hard. Martial missed the first few games of the season due to a hamstring injury, but he made a strong comeback against Liverpool before breaking his Achilles. Before suffering a back injury, his subsequent return was even better, with three goals and an assist in three games.
The entire campaign has been like this. Ten Hag is in a bind because there aren't many options for strikers due to Martial's six separate injuries. Even more upsetting is the fact that Martial plainly enjoys playing for the new management.
But if a player doesn't play, it makes no difference how good he is. Due to this, Martial was one of the players listed for sale this summer along with Harry Maguire, Alex Telles, Brandon Williams, Eric Bailly, and Dean Henderson as United started to formulate their transfer window plans.
Given his near-constant lack of availability and the fact that United will be eager to sign an elite-level striker as a matter of priority, with Harry Kane the preferred target, he won't have much of an argument. But as certain as the sun rising, Martial has made a tremendous comeback from his most recent physical setback and may be about to alter his course.
Anthony Martial has now played in five of United's most recent contests, and he has improved with each. In place of the clumsy Wout Weghorst, United has really benefited from having an athletic and pacey presence up front, and he is once more productive. He scored his first league goal of 2023 against Everton, set up Marcel Sabitzer to score against Sevilla with a beautiful ball, and contributed to Nottingham Forest's first goal with his pushing against them.
The 27-year-old has once again demonstrated his value to Ten Hag's squad, both as a starter and as a sub, and has made sure that the absence of Marcus Rashford hasn't been felt too much.
The Dutchman is currently doing everything he can to control his minutes and keep him injury-free because he has been so patient and supportive. Up to 13 games left for United this season, and Martial must be available for every one of them and keep getting better if the club is to change its mind.
Of course, United still need to recruit a striker since Martial cannot be counted on to provide the goals the team needs and injuries will certainly recur at some point. However, as the current injury problem has demonstrated, you need as many high-caliber choices as you can throughout a taxing season, and Martial would undoubtedly be a useful and flexible player to keep.
Anthony Martial had seen the writing on the wall before, but he always managed to ignore it. He might be able to repeat the feat.
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