5 reasons why Manchester United will destroy Sevilla in the Champions League

Manchester United might have had a troubled two weeks, but they got back to winning ways in the FA Cup ahead of this Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Sevilla bounced back after their 5-1 obliteration at the hands to Eibar a few weeks ago with wins against Leganes and Girona, as well as overcoming their most recent opponents Las Palmas.

Follow Sevilla vs Manchester United Live right here

Both teams are under pressure for the similar reason: Champions League qualification. They are immersed in races for the top four in order to qualify for next season’s competitions and will face huge consequences if they miss out.

Manchester United topped their group while Sevilla came second to Liverpool, and so it will be an interesting matchup between these two sides.

Here are five reasons why Manchester United will destroy Sevilla:

#5 Manchester United’s big-name players returning

Eric Bailly, Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo are fit enough to feature at some point throughout the match

After a reassuring and convincing win against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup, some confidence should have been restored for Manchester United’s players.

It wasn’t a perfect performance, but they got the job done with a considerably weaker starting XI and came through it unscathed.

However, what is going to be crucial for the Red Devils is key first-team players returning to the squad against Sevilla that will provide a positive influence.

Players such as Eric Bailly, Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo should all be fit enough to feature at some point throughout the match - and they are three of Man United’s best players, especially performing on the biggest of stages in Europe.

Pogba was ruled out through illness in the FA Cup, but the added rest is a blessing in disguise as they will need him to run the show in Seville against a potentially tricky side.

If José Mourinho wants to get the best out of the Frenchman, he needs to have two other midfielders sitting deep and thwarting the danger, which will enable Pogba to roam forward and provide the elegance to United’s attack.

#4 Alexis Sánchez running riot in Europe

Sánchez has 13 goals and 16 assists in 44 Champions League appearances for Barcelona and Arsenal.

It is fair to say that in Sánchez’s opening five appearances for Manchester United, he has made a positive impact. While in certain instances he should have been more clinical and been on the scoresheet – especially against Newcastle United – it is clear to see his energy and enthusiasm throughout the 90 minutes.

Manchester United have been lacklustre in the attack at various points during this season, and to have a player of Sánchez’s quality, as well as his tireless work rate, is only going to be an added bonus.

There have been glimpses of Sánchez linking well with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard, and those relationships are only going to be built with time passing and training together.

Sánchez has 13 goals and 16 assists in 44 Champions League appearances for both Barcelona and Arsenal throughout his career. Bearing in mind some of those appearances will have been when he was still dealing with the pressure of being at one of the biggest clubs in the world, that is a very reliable record.

Given there is more space to attack into in the European competition, Sánchez should be allowed the freedom to come inside, as well as taking on his opposite man on the outside, and cause havoc. Providing the Red Devils can give him support and consistently get the ball to him, Sánchez should run riot.

#3 Defence should be more stable

The Portuguese boss’ defence should be more adept to deal with Sevilla’s attackers.

With the good news that Eric Bailly returned to Manchester United’s squad against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup, the Ivorian will be a welcomed addition returning to their Champions League team.

Bailly is Mourinho’s best defender and has been an enormous miss for the Red Devils this season. Man United’s defensive liabilities have come through Chris Smalling - a player that is clearly not at the required standard to play for the club.

With Bailly returning, and potentially Luke Shaw coming into the starting XI, the Portuguese boss’ defence should be more adept to deal with Sevilla’s attackers - especially with the pace of Luis Muriel.

Ashley Young has been starting at left back, even though Mourinho has been full of praise for Shaw, but it would be disappointing not to see the 22-year-old take to the field from the off given how well he has performed in his latest matches.

#2 The pressure on Manchester United to not fail

Manchester United’s squad is by and large a lot better than Sevilla.

Given Manchester United’s inconsistency at times this season, they have been under the spotlight in terms of how well Mourinho is doing this season. Given they have been blown out of the water by their cross-town rivals Manchester City, it has been a taught season that has had its ups and downs.

But the backlash on failing to overcome a modest Spanish team in the Round of 16 would be vast. That is no disrespect to Sevilla, who have performed well in Europe over the last few years, but Manchester United’s squad is by and large a lot better, and so they should be making it through to the quarter-finals unscathed.

No one expects Manchester United to win the competition, but they do expect the club to put a challenge against the so-called ‘bigger’ teams and pose a threat. Sevilla is a tie that will test them, certainly, but it should not be so difficult that the Red Devils exit the Champions League.

Mourinho handles pressure expertly, but he will need to drill that mentality into his players and make sure they perform at optimum level.

#1 Mourinho’s desire in the Champions League

Champions League takes up a big place in Mourinho's heart.

Mourinho has won the Champions League twice before: once with Porto and the other time in his treble-winning season with Inter.

It is evident by the way he celebrates and talks about it, that the Champions League takes up a big place in his heart. He is not a coach who rests players in any competition and certainly won’t take any chances in Europe’s top-tier tournament.

In a season where silverware looks hard come by, progressing into the further rounds of the Champions League would give a similar boost and feel-good factor that the fans are looking for.

While this game will not be a walk in the park, Manchester United are expected to conjure up a healthy lead to go to Seville in a fortnight’s time and get the job done. The hard work should be done at Old Trafford and Mourinho will know that. Expect goals!