Erik ten Hag's bizarre decisions cost Manchester United vs Sevilla

A banner was unfurled in the Sevilla end that read 'We've got a dream' and their supporters ignited a flare. Manchester United should have doused the dream.

Instead it is still alive. United scored all four goals only two of them were in their own net. They did their utmost to make a contest of a tie when its competitiveness ought to have ended after 90 minutes in Manchester.

Tyrell Malacia's dithering defending gave Sevilla a lifeline in the 84th minute and a header that ricocheted in off the dumbstruck head of Harry Maguire in the 92nd minute continued Sevilla's hex over United.

Read more: United player ratings vs Sevilla

It is now four without a win against Sevilla for United. Sevilla are a shadow of the side that shocked United at Old Trafford in Jose Mourinho's final full season five years ago; five points above the relegation zone in La Liga. But their Europa League pedigree endures. They will back themselves at the raucous Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium next week.

This was all avoidable for United, who coasted through the first hour, which made Erik ten Hag's handling of the occasion so bewildering. He misjudged the jeopardy of the tie and underestimated a side that has effectively monopolised the competition.

The triple substitution of Christian Eriksen, Anthony Elanga and Wout Weghorst for Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial with half-an-hour remaining set a frivolous tone with United only 2-0 ahead. With Weghorst, Elanga and Facundo Pellistro in attack at full-time, no wonder the scoring ended at two goals.

Ten Hag's changes seemed odd at the time and they were odder at fullt-time. United fans sing Elanga 'scores goals from everywhere' to Rhythm Is A Dancer yet he is so seldom selected he lacks