The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
– Fellaini gamble backfires –
Mourinho’s gamble on Fellaini appeared to have largely backfired as he failed to impose his physical presence on Sevilla’s ball players in midfield.
Yet, the Belgian nearly made the breakthrough with United’s best move of the opening period when he latched onto Alexis Sanchez’s layoff and his powerful effort was turned behind by Sergio Rico.
The second period began in the same vein as the first with Sevilla on the front foot, and only a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Eric Bailly denied Correa a clear sight of goal.
Only one set of fans could be heard in Old Trafford tonight.
We go to the quarter-finals UNITED.#vamosmisevilla #UCL pic.twitter.com/6ZyJXIZDeF
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) March 14, 2018
Pogba, who cost United a then-world record £89 million ($116 million) in 2016, was eventually introduced just after the hour mark with Fellaini sacrificed.
However, even the Frenchman couldn’t kickstart the hosts and they were eventually made to pay.
Ben Yedder had only been on the pitch for two minutes after replacing Muriel when he finally broke the deadlock in the tie with a brilliant finish low into De Gea’s bottom left-hand corner.
“Manchester United have experience in the Champions League, it was a special game for us,” said Ben Yedder.
“But I believed in myself, believed in the team and we showed we are a great team.”
Mourinho responded by throwing on Anthony Martial and Juan Mata, but their attacking edge was needed far earlier as Ben Yedder soon put the outcome beyond any doubt when he forced home a corner at the far post despite a despairing effort by De Gea.
Lukaku finally got United on the board six minutes from time when he swept home Marcus Rashford’s corner.
But it was to little avail as United have now failed to reach the quarter-finals for four straight years.
