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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Nathan Ridley

3 things Man Utd players got horribly wrong as they were dumped out of Europe

Manchester United gave Erik ten Hag a reminder of how far they have to come after yet another embarrassing night in Europe.

The Red Devils lost 3-0 to Sevilla in their Europa League quarter-final second leg, conceding five unanswered goals across two games. Ten Hag's men had previously beaten Barcelona and Real Betis to reach the last eight, yet it was old foes Sevilla - who dumped Jose Mourinho's United out of the Champions League in 2018 - who became the latest Spanish side to beat the Red Devils.

Not one United player could hold their head high at full-time, leaving the thousands of fans who'd made the journey to Andalusia furious - and rightly so. It was the kind of performance which leaves certain supposed stars playing for their futures in their final few games of what's been season full of away-day nightmares.

Here are three things in particular they got wrong.

Maguire trying too hard to impress

In the eighth minute of a big European tie, risks aren't to be taken. For Harry Maguire, though, he was desperate to impress Erik ten Hag by demonstrating that he could play out from the back - just like David de Gea has been trying to do all season.

But their combination, predictably, didn't work. Calling to take the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, Maguire was quickly swamped by three white shirts and Erik Lamela nabbed the ball from the Manchester United captain's poor touch and fed Youssef En-Nesyri.

De Gea should never have been tempted into the pass, which echoed one of Brentford 's four unanswered goal earlier in the season, but Maguire was unwise to shout up. Both players might not get the chance to truly learn their lesson under Ten Hag, with the Red Devils' next European game now not coming until next season.

Harry Maguire's loose touch was the moment the game changed (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

De Gea not showing authority

For a Manchester United goalkeeper of 12 seasons, David de Gea still isn't commanding in his penalty area. After being at fault for Sevilla's first goal, the Spaniard failed to make amends at the opportunity of the second half.

Two minutes in, a corner ball was whipped in and Victor Lindelof was easily beaten by Loic Bade. De Gea was rooted to his line and instead of reacting fast, let the ball sail over him and by the time he put his arms up, it was too late.

The 32-year-old is set to sign a contract extension which will irk United fans to no end. De Gea remains suspect, especially with the ball at his feet, so it only feels like a matter of time before Ten Hag searches for a new goalkeeper.

David de Gea showed his frailties once again in Seville (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Have your say! Who'll win the Europa League? Join the debate in the comments section.

De Gea's same old frailties

If a loose touch made the first goal and De Gea's indecision the second, Sevilla's third goal was a ghastly combination. As the former Spain international came to cut out a long ball, he attempted to control it with his studs and allowed to squirm to En-Nesyri.

The Moroccan striker had an open goal to aim at from 30 yards and easily hit the back of the net, ending the contest and sending United home in embarrassment.

It was an all-around performance which showed how much of a job Ten Hag has on his hands.

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