A place in the UEFA Europa League final is there for the taking as two fallen European heavy weights Manchester United and Sevilla collide in the semi-final in Cologne.
The Red Devils, already having secured a place in next season's Champions League, will look to end the year with some silverware which shall act as impetus for the next campaign. For that, they will have to better than quarter final performance, where they toiled past a resilient Copenhagen side 1-0 via a Bruno Fernandes penalty.
The same goes for Spanish side Sevilla, who have also guaranteed a spot in the Champions League next season. They are well rehearsed in winning this competition, Unai Emery's side winning it three years in a row most recently. They will look to add to their record 5 triumphs in the tournament, being in fine form lately, after they edged Wolves 1-0 by a late Ocampos header.
PLAYERS TO MISS OUT:
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Man Utd have a fully fit squad, barring defenders Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones, who are absent due to long term injuries. Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof are expected to return to the lineup.
SEVILLA:
Sevilla are back to a full-strength squad after midfielder, Nemanja Gudelj, who tested positive for COVID-19 on the return to training to prepare for the Europa League, has travelled to Germany on Thursday following a period of isolation and a negative test.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
MAN UTD:
BRUNO FERNANDES:
Ole's men look like a totally different and recharged side after the addition of the Portuguese magnifico. His eagerness to get the ball and the sheer will to be involved in every proceeding has been contagious, pushing his teammates to step up as well. The top scorer in this year's competition with 7 goals and 4 assists to go with it, he will surely a constant threat with his ability to shoot and provide crosses from any distance.
ANTHONY MARTIAL:
The red hot Frenchman has enjoyed his best season since joining the Red Devils as a teenager, with 23 goals and 12 assists to his name. Not afraid to take on his man, or curling one into the top corner, the no. 9 always has a goal in him. His link up with fellow frontmen Rashford and Greenwood will be key for Man Utd's ventures.
SEVILLA:
EVER BANEGA:
It seems like if you put a halt on Banega, you stop Sevilla. His clever movement of the ball and chemistry with his team-mates in forward areas in menacing. He was the protagonist when Sevilla went to Old Trafford in their last European meeting, can be prove to be instrumental again?
LUCAS OCAMPOS:
Lucas Ocampos has one of the revelation of the season in La Liga for Sevilla. Spearheading Lopetegui's attack, he is the team's joint top scorer and has been a relentless performer for them. Scoring the winner against Wolves, he can play in the centre, cut in from the flanks, his understanding with Jesus Navas on the overlap being lethal. Will he be on the scoresheet again in the semi-final? Have to wait and see.
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