UNITED HERO DE GEA A SPAIN KILLER
Scots kid McTominay plays blinder for Man U as de Gea wonder stop shuts out silky Spaniards
JOSE MOURINHO heaped praise on Scotland prospect Scott McTominay as David de Gea produced a worldclass save to rescue Manchester United from defeat in Spain.
The keeper, back in his homeland, defied belief with his outrageous 45th-minute stop at point-blank range to deny Sevilla striker Muriel.
Muriel looked certain to score and put the La Liga side ahead just before the break but somehow de Gea got his right hand to the ball to palm it away.
De Gea was modest about his heroics when he said: “They had the best chances of the game. It was in the last minute of the first half so it was an important moment of the game. “I made a save and I’m happy for that.” United struggled to impose themselves on Sevilla, who had 20 shots on goal, and have it all to do in the return leg at Old Trafford if they are to reach the last eight.
Red Devils boss Mourinho said: “If we draw with goals in the second leg we are out. If we win, we are through. It’s difficult.
“I believe that Old Trafford misses a big European night. We had the quarterfinals and semi-finals last year but the Europa League has a different meaning.”
Mourinho was asked about the impressive performance of young McTominay, who new Scotland boss Alex McLeish is set to ask about his future international commitment.
The Portuguese said: “In the press conference the questions were about Paul Pogba but the question should be about the kid.
“He was fantastic. He did everything well. He put pressure on Ever Banega and stopped him playing, he’s their playmaker. I think Scott was brilliant. The midfield started really well and Paul made a big effort to go into the dynamic when he came on and he had a positive performance.”
Pogba was handed the chance to prove his quality – but fell flat on what proved a tough night for United.
The star midfielder was benched but called into action early in the first half to replace the injured Ander Herrera, a glorious shot at redemption for United’s record £89million signing.
But Pogba, who by Mourinho’s own admission has been horribly out of form, failed to grasp the chance to show he is a player capable of running games on this exalted stage.
The irony of the Frenchman being benched is that Mourinho made the decision despite switching to a 4-3-3 formation, the one to which Pogba is arguably best suited and enjoys playing.
But the midfield responsibilities fell to Nemanja Matic, Herrera and McTominay, with Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku selected in attack.
The home side came out of the blocks quickly, putting United under pressure early on, de Gea needing to dive low to his right to keep out a goalbound shot from Muriel after three minutes.
United looked edgy and were unable to establish any rhythm to their play, with Sevilla spraying the ball around with assurance and speed, forcing the English side to sit back.
When United did manage to get sight of the Sevilla goal they were unable to take advantage. Herrera put Sanchez through in 12 minutes but his first touch was heavy, allowing the defence to clear.
Former Manchester City winger Jesus
Navas 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.
The enforced introduction of the Frenchman had a galvanising effect on United as they began to see more of the ball and dictate the pattern of the game, although that revival proved short-lived.
Sanchez began to have more 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 stop, so much so that the Sevilla striker Muriel made sure he congratulate de Gea as the players walked off at halftime, 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 clear-cut chances.
Muriel should have put Sevilla ahead with 19 minutes left, but he was unable to get on the end of Pablo Sarabia’s dangerous ball into the six-yard box.
And United received another let-off when Franco Vasquez headed over moments later. Lukaku had the ball in the net with seven minutes to go but the effort was ruled out for hand ball.