Sevilla 0-0 Manchester United: Player Ratings
David de Gea's series of acrobatic saves ensured that Manchester United got away with a goalless draw at Sevilla in the first leg of their Champions League Round-of-16 tie.
A frantic end to the first half saw Steven N'Zonzi's glancing header tipped over the crossbar by the Spanish goalkeeper, before his save from forward Luis Muriel's powerful header at point-blank range was met with despair and disbelief by fans across the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium.
A subsequent set of saves in the second half bailed United out, as a result of which they go into the return leg at Old Trafford as slight favourites.
Here are the player ratings from a scrappy, yet entertaining game in Seville.
Sevilla
Sergio Rico - 6.5/10
Rico did not have much to do apart from getting gloves behind McTominay’s strike in the first half.
Jesus Navas - 7.5/10
Navas was positive going forward and tracked back to good effect, keeping Young and Alexis at bay.
Gabriel Mercado - 7/10
Mercado passed the Lukaku challenge despite the height disadvantage, not allowing the big striker to overpower him physically and get a clear sight at goal.
Clement Langlet - 7/10
Langlet was a solid figure at the back, making good defensive headers as United sought to long-ball tactics for a fair portion of the game.
Sergio Escudero - 7.5/10
The Sevilla skipper took advantage of a defensive-minded United to surge forward and also make runs into the United box. He kept Rashford in check late in the game.
Ever Banega - 8/10
Banega was tigerish in midfield, driving the ball forward to feed the wide players while also making the ball work in the vicinity of the penalty area. He was able to find gaps in a shaky United defence and exploit them with his exquisite passing.
Steven N’Zonzi - 7.5/10
N'Zonzi did the cleaning up in front of his defence and was a handful for United's defenders in corners, using his height to good effect to win aerial challenges inside their box. He was inches away from scoring; his glanced header was tipped over the bar magnificently by De Gea.
Pablo Sarabia - 7.5/10
Sarabia was hard-working on the right side of midfield ad made dangerous approaches into the box, forcing Lindelof to come out of his defensive line and make a challenge. His perfectly paced low cross across the face of goal in the second half was a whisker away from an incoming Muriel's sliding toe.
Franco Vazquez - 7/10
The attacking midfielder created a couple of promising chances for Muriel and Correa to attack, both comfortably gathered by De Gea. He showed intensity going forward and tested Matic's composure on the ball by pressing him in many occasions.
Joaquin Correa - 6.5/10
A player of potential, Correa made a number of quick-footed runs from the left side and across the 18-yard box without being able to convert them into real goal-scoring opportunities, sometimes ignoring the presence of passing targets near him. He looked threatening but could improve on his decision making when he runs the byline so often.
Luis Muriel - 6.5/10
The Colombian forward would have endured one of the most frustrating nights in his Sevilla career, getting shot after shot away without enjoying the end product - a goal. His header from six yards was denied from entering the net by a world-class save from De Gea.
The Spaniard continued to be his Achilles Heel throughout the evening, making three saves off his shots alone and forcing him to steer a further couple of shots wide. Muriel will hope that luck is on his side at Old Trafford.
Substitutes
Sandro Ramirez - N/A
The forward came on very late and had no time to make an impact apart from a blocked shot.
Guido Pizarro - N/A
Pizarro entered the fray in the 89th minute.