'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Bruno Fernandes vs Fernando Reges
Manchester United's new talismanic hero Bruno Fernandes is set to come up against one of the club's former cross-town rivals, Fernando. The Brazilian, formerly of Manchester City, has established himself as the go-to ball-winner in midfield for Lopetegui since he departed from England.
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The 33-year-old midfield veteran has been a dependable presence at the base of the Seville-based club this year, both in LaLiga and in the UEL. Fernando has brought about a sense of composure and defensive stability in the middle, enabling the likes of Joan Jordan and Ever Banega to express themselves freely ahead of him.
However, on Sunday, he will face an entirely different proposition with Bruno Fernandes on the other side. The Portuguese midfielder has been in scintillating form for the Red Devils, scoring eight and assisting seven goals in just over 1200 minutes of Premier League football. Bruno is also the leading scorer in the Europa League with seven goals and a further four assists to his name.
Fernando will have to use all his experience to marshall his troops and ensure Bruno doesn't see too much of the ball. Although the former Sporting captain has looked a tad worn out in recent games, his touch could be crucial on the night for Manchester United — much like Fernando's defensive diligence, as he will be asked to keep an eye on the playmaker.
#2 Anthony Martial vs Jules Kounde
Sevilla starlet Jules Kounde has had a simply sensational season in the heart of Los Palanganas' defence. The Frenchman has profoundly impressed with his displays for Lopetegui's side, and has already attracted attention from some of Europe's elite clubs.
The 21-year-old was one of the stars of the show in the previous round as Kounde managed to completely nullify the threat posed by one of the Premier League's deadliest strikers, Raul Jimenez. Apart from the botched penalty, Mexican could barely find time to take a shot in the Sevilla box, which is a testament to how well Kounde did to shut him out.
On Sunday, the Real Madrid target will face a distinctly different threat in Anthony Martial, Manchester United's leading goalscorer. Kounde's compatriot has been in stunning form particularly since Bruno arrived at the club, and has looked more and more threatening with every passing game. Martial ran the show in the quarter-finals against FC Copenhagen and ultimately won the penalty which fired United through to the last four.
Another interesting aspect would be how Kounde manages to resist Martial's pressing from the front, an aspect that the forward has evidently worked on in recent times. The Sevilla defender is crucial to their build-up play, averaging 80 passes (!) a game in the Europa League, and will have to be wary of the striker lurking for the ball. Martial would look to keep up his scoring touch and outfox his countryman on the night.
#1 Paul Pogba vs Ever Banega
What a truly marvellous player Ever Banega is.
The Argentine single-handedly ran the midfield in Sevilla's Europa League encounter with Wolves in the last round like an orchestrator conducting proceedings with such ease. Banega, who is widely expected to move to the Middle East after the UEL campaign, has been outstanding for Lopetegui's Sevilla and has helped them assert a sense of dominance on games.
Interestingly, apart from the fact that Banega could move to the Middle East, much of the praise above applies to Manchester United's midfield maestro, Paul Pogba, if not more of it. The Frenchman has established himself as one of the most complete central midfielders on the planet, and his partnership with Bruno in the middle has allowed him to play with more freedom.
The two metronomic playmakers are set to face-off with each other in the semi-finals, and their duel could possibly be the most decisive one of the game. Given that Pogba has been deployed in a relatively deeper role in the current setup, he could lock horns with Banega and disrupt the Argentine's (and in theory, Sevilla's) momentum in the process.
On the other hand, Banega's pressing could cause Pogba — United's most trusted player in progressing the ball from deeper areas — a lot of problems as well, much like he did at home to Southampton. The two pass masters will be vital for their sides, and their battle could be of significant importance as their performances generally go on to define how well or how poorly their teams play.
It could arguably be the most interesting tactical battle on the night.
