Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16, 1ST LEG
unable to take full advantage. Herrera put Sanchez through after 12 minutes, but his first touch was heavy, allowing the defence to clear.
Former Manchester City winger Jesus Navas (left) dragged a shot wide of De Gea’s right-hand post, as Sevilla continued to push forward in search of the opener, with United looking uncertain.
Mourinho’s decision to bench Pogba dominated the build-up to the game, but he was called into action after 17 minutes when Herrera pulled up with a hamstring injury.
His introduction had a galvanising effect on United, who began to see more of the ball and dictate the pattern of the game, although that revival proved short-lived.
Sanchez (right) was having an influence and picked out Lukaku with a fine ball over the Sevilla defence, but the £75m forward’s volleyed effort was hopeless and sailed high and wide.
De Gea made two fine saves moments before the break to keep the score at 0-0, tipping over a header from Clement Lenglet, then producing an outrageous stop to keep out a point-blank-range header from Muriel.
It was an extraordinary save, so much so that Sevilla striker Muriel was minded to congratulate De Gea as the players walked off the pitch at half-time, with United fortunate not to be going in behind.
It was a familiar story in the second-half, with United forced to defend as Sevilla dominated possession, with hardly any clearcut chances for Mourinho’s side.
Muriel should have put Sevilla ahead with 19 minutes left, but was unable to get on the end of Pablo Sarabia’s dangerous ball into the six-yard box, while United received another let-off when Franco Vazquez headed over moments later.
Lukaku had the ball in the net with seven minutes to go, but the effort was ruled out for handball.