Marcel Sabitzer was one of the many disappointing Manchester United players against Sevilla.
The two-legged Europa League quarter-final will forever conjure up mixed emotions for Marcel Sabitzer.
The first 20 minutes at Old Trafford were the best of his Manchester United career when he bagged two goals and looked like he would probably go on and score a hat-trick.
The final 20 minutes away at Sevilla he spent on the bench, substituted off, watching the Spanish side score a third to wrap up a 5-2 aggregate win. How did it come to this?
Sabitzer’s game to forget
It’s not like the time Sabitzer spent on the pitch was much more memorable. He was one of the many poor performers on the night.
With Bruno Fernandes suspended, Manchester United needed the three man midfield to be composed, and take the sting out of the game, or at least link up well with the front three.
Sabitzer did not contribute effectively in any meaningful way in Seville. He was subbed off in the 68th minute after being booked, but could easily have been hooked at half-time.
The Austrian completed only 11 of 19 passes attempted, a poor 58 per cent. He only touched the ball 26 times.
He won no tackles and just three of 10 duels contested, with Sevilla sharper and fresher.
It’s fair to ask if Sabitzer was fully fit. He pulled out of the game against Nottingham Forest as a precaution, and may have rushed back for this game.
But that may simply be offering the loanee an easy excuse for a performance that simply wasn’t good enough.
Last week most Manchester United fans were calling for the club to snap him up on a permanent deal. After last night, we could probably take it or leave it.
We have seen the best and worst of Sabitzer across these two legs. A Bruno Fernandes playmaker he is not.
With Fernandes alongside him, then he can be more effective. Let’s see if there is an improvement in the FA Cup semi-final – if he manages to get selected.