Erik ten Hag criticised his Manchester United players for their lack of composure after a 3-0 defeat to Sevilla sealed their elimination from the Europa League on Thursday evening. David De Gea and Harry Maguire were at fault for the opener as Youssef En-Nesyri put Sevilla in front from close range after just eight minutes. Lucas Ocampos had a goal ruled out for a tight offside in the build up, before Loic Bade doubled Sevilla’s lead two minutes after the restart. En-Nesyri added a third with nine minutes to go, capitalising on another error from De Gea.
Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Ten Hag said: ‘We have to do better, that’s the demand. We were not composed, not calm. We didn’t beat the press, when you do there are so many spaces behind, and it was obvious at the start how to do it. We lost the battles, they had more passion, more desire, more willingness, that’s difficult to win games. We can’t run away from it. On Sunday we have another opportunity and have to step up and show more character and personality.’
When asked if United felt the absences of Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, Ten Hag replied: ‘It’s not about them, it’s about the players on the pitch. They have to perform, I believe in them and trust them but they have to show it and they were not good enough. We have shown on so many occasions good things but tonight we weren’t ready for the game. At this level, playing for Manchester United, you have to be ready for every game. This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something and we gave it away, we have to blame ourselves. It’s gone, we can’t change it. We have to look forward to Sunday, that’s the next opportunity.’
United now face a trip to Wembley on Sunday where they play Brighton in the FA Cup semi final. Sevilla will play Juventus in the Europa League semi final.