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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag left frustrated as Bruno Fernandes joins Lionel Messi

For the majority of Manchester United's Europa League semi-final first leg against Sevilla they looked in control, only for things to go very wrong very quickly.

Two first-half goals from Marcel Sabitzer had Erik ten Hag's side cruising, and they could have made the tie safe on a number of occasions. Instead, though, late own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire meant there's everything to play for going into the second leg in Spain.

To make matters worse, Lisandro Martinez went off with a nasty-looking injury and Bruno Fernandes picked up a one-game suspension. Naturally, Ten Hag's reaction leads the way when it comes to the latest lines from around Old Trafford.

Ten Hag reacts to late setback

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag agreed his team should have put the game out of sight before Sevilla's late comeback. The former Ajax boss also opened up on the injury and other issues which forced his hand in the second half.

"We had the game in our hands and we should've made it 3 or 4-0, the game was totally on us," he told BT Sport. "Then, there were some unlucky moments with injuries, we had to make subs because of injuries like Rapha [Varane] at half-time."

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Erik ten Hag's team threw away a 2-0 lead (Offside via Getty Images)

"We also had to sub Anthony Martial because it was his first start [since returning from injury] then Antony and Bruno [Fernandes] because they were on bookings," the manager continued. "We had to make some subs, then we lost control and switched off.

"Then, another unlucky moment with Martinez and we only had 10 (players) and conceded a second own goal, it was bad luck. We have to learn, we have to kill the game but everything is open for the second leg."

Read more here

Bruno brings up 50

Bruno Fernandes registered his 50th Man Utd assist in all competitions during the draw with Sevilla. In the period since he arrived at Old Trafford, Lionel Messi is the only other player in the top five European leagues who has racked up at least 50 goals and assists.

The Portugal star joined United from Sporting in January 2020, and has 60 goals to go along with his 50 assists. Messi, now at Paris Saint-Germain, is still some way out in front with 80 goals and 59 assists across the same three-and-a-quarter year period.

Bruno Fernandes is suspended for Man Utd's second leg (Getty Images)

Fernandes laid on Marcel Sabitzer's deflected opener for United, with the on-loan Austrian also scoring United's second. However the former Sporting midfielder - who began the evening wearing the captain's armband - was booked after a handball on the edge of United's box and will is banned for the return leg.

Read more here

Sheikh Jassim still in takeover race

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, one of the prospective bidders for Manchester United, is not believed to have changed his stance ahead of the third round of bidding. According to Sky Sports, the Qatari will return with another bid before the upcoming April 28 deadline.

Fellow bidder Thomas Ziliacus is now out of the running, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe could yet come in with a further bid. Sheikh Jassim, meanwhile, remains keen on a 100 per cent takeover.

Meanwhile, the Man Utd Supporters' Trust has called for a speedy resolution. Despite earlier suggestions a sale could be completed before the end of the season, that no longer seems certain.

"We are in dire need of new investment, which undoubtedly requires new ownership," their statement read. "MUST, along with United fans all around the world, are calling for this process to be concluded without further delay."

Read more here

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