Erik ten Hag warns Man United ‘have to be aware’ of Sevilla’s strong Europa League record

Erik ten Hag warned against any complacency when his Manchester United side take on Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-finals.

The Spanish side have struggled domestically this season, and are sat just three points above 19th-placed Almeria in 13th. 

However Ten Hag has pointed to their stunning record in the Europa League as something his side will need to ‘be aware of’, with Sevilla winning a record six titles in the competition. 

‘Back to Seville and they have a very good record, we have to be aware of it,’ Ten Hag said at a press conference upon hearing the result of the draw.

‘It is going to be tough because they are really experienced in the Europa League, they won it so many times. I don’t know the team in detail so I have to focus on that.

Erik ten Hag warned that his side have to respect Sevilla’s record in the Europa League

‘I think all the opponents coming to this stage of Europa League, they are strong and you have to play your best football if you want to come through, and it’s definitely the case if you face Sevilla.’

United in fact only just returned from Seville, where they beat Real Betis 1-0 to seal a 5-1 aggregate victory against Manuel Pellegrini’s side. 

It is a well-trodden path this season for Ten Hag’s side, who will now face a third Spanish side in a row, having also seen off Barcelona in the play-off round. 

The Premier League side are thought to be the favourites to go all the way in the competition, having fallen at the final hurdle in 2020-21 when they were beaten on penalties by Unai Emery’s Villarreal. 

Jorge Sampaoli’s side are struggling in LaLiga and are currently sat in 13th spot just three above 19th-placed Almeria

Ten Hag’s side are the favourite to lift the Europa League trophy in Budapest on May 31

Sevilla have won the competition four times in the last decade, but they have suffered a drop-off since they last won the trophy in 2020 – currently sitting 13th in the LaLiga standings

And should they see off Sevilla in the quarters, the route to the final for Ten Hag’s side remains far from straight-forward. 

With United on the trickier side of the draw, as if they progress against the perennial Europa League winners, they will then face Juventus or Sporting Lisbon in the semi-finals.

The Red Devils and Juventus have history in the Champions League, but after their struggles in recent seasons, it could make for a mammoth clash in the semi-finals.

United are still competing on three fronts, after having already sealed a Carabao Cup, and host Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.