Sevilla star Ivan Rakitic sends ‘respect’ message ahead of Manchester United clash

Sevilla playmaker Ivan Rakitic is expecting a level of “respect” from Manchester United in Thursday’s Europa League meeting given the historic stature of the Spanish club.

Sevilla are languishing in 13th in La Liga and just five points the relegation zone amid a woeful season which has seen two managers sacked. They travel to Old Trafford having won just one of their last four games.

The struggling outfit are the Europa League’s most successful side having won the competitions six times in all. They find themselves in the quarter-finals of this season’s edition having finished third in their Champions League group before beating PSV Eindhoven and Fenerbahce in the last two rounds.

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Rakitic, now 35, could start the game alongside the likes of former Tottenham winger Eric Lamela and Morocco World Cup goalkeeping hero Bono. The Croat believes United “respect” Sevilla despite their turgid domestic campaign.

Speaking to Diario AS, he said: “It will be a very tough game but also very beautiful, to be able to grow a lot. We are going to fight to the maximum to get a great result for the return leg, in front of our people, at the Sanchez-Pizjuan.

“But I know that we are going to have the respect of United, because of the great history that Sevilla has in this competition.” Rakitic acknowledged the match would be a tough test for his side, suggesting they will have to be on their game to get the result they want.

He added: “Do not make mistakes, the most important thing. Every mistake in this type of encounter is punished, you cannot afford to be foolish.

“We are already in the quarter-finals and the best of the best are there. There is very little to go until the end. We have to