Marcel Sabitzer feels at home in the Premier League and is keen to extend his Manchester United stay beyond the end of the season.

Sabitzer joined United on loan from Bayern Munich in January after the Red Devils lost fellow midfielder Christian Eriksen to an ankle injury.

While Eriksen returned last week after spending over two months on the sidelines, Sabitzer has played an important role for the Red Devils, making 13 appearances since his arrival and featuring in February's EFL Cup final win over Newcastle United.

Having scored his first goal for the club in last month's FA Cup quarter-final victory against Fulham, Sabitzer grabbed two more in Thursday's 2-2 Europa League draw with Sevilla.

Though Sabitzer's deal does not contain an option for United to make his move permanent, the Austria international would be open to extending his stay.

"I didn't have to think for 10 seconds after United called," Sabitzer said in an interview with German publication Bild. "I said straight away, if the time works, we'll do it!

"This is initially a project until the summer, then we'll see. Until then, I want to give everything here. It's a loan deal with no options. The situation will be assessed in the summer.

"But I can say for myself, I have found my place here. I know the Premier League now and I can say there is nothing better, more intense or tougher.

"Every game is a fight, everything goes faster. This is the best league in the world. Once you have played here, you know it's incomparable.

"Of course my thoughts on United – especially looking at how things are going and the confidence I get from Erik ten Hag – are very positive. But I don't have to decide it alone."

Lisandro Martinez aims to come back "stronger" after suffering a season-ending injury in Manchester United's Europa League clash with Sevilla on Thursday.

Martinez was carried from the field by Sevilla's Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel – his Argentina team-mates – after going down unchallenged in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils on Friday confirmed centre-back Martinez will not feature again in the 2022-23 campaign after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot.

They added that the former Ajax defender, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of next season.

Writing on Instagram, Martinez said: "Not the way I imagined what's been a very special season would end, but sometimes we face obstacles along the way that we have to overcome to make us stronger and we learn from them.

"I know that I'll be back very soon to go for more. In the meantime, I'll continue to support all my team-mates to achieve our objectives.

"The number of messages and support I've received has been amazing, they're giving me strength and encouragement at this moment.

"Many, many thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart."

United are next in action on Sunday when they visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Gary Neville says only a full sale of Manchester United can satisfy supporters.

United announced in November that their much-maligned owners, the Glazer family, were exploring options including a potential sale of the club.

Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani are among those to go public with their offers for United, though Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus described the sale process as a "farce" when announcing he would not participate in a third round of bidding this week.

Some United supporters have expressed concerns that the Glazers – who have been widely criticised since taking control via a leveraged buyout in 2005 – may yet remain at Old Trafford.

On Saturday, Sky News reported that American private equity firm Carlyle was engaged in talks regarding a significant minority investment in the club.

It has also been suggested that other US-based investment companies have expressed an interest in acquiring a minority stake. 

The reports of Carlyle's interest provoked the ire of former United and England defender Neville, who wrote on Twitter: "No thank you! This doesn't work for United! 

"The Glazer PR machine keeps leaking this type of minority partnership bi-weekly whilst stressing it is a confidential process! Full sale only."

Erik ten Hag has made his desire to sign a new striker for Manchester United ahead of next season clear.

The Red Devils are still fighting on three fronts this season as they battle to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, as well as chasing glory in the FA Cup and Europa League.

United's pursuit of glory to add to the EFL Cup crown secured earlier this year has come despite a lack of central options in attack.

Wout Weghorst was signed on loan in January following the termination of Cristiano Ronaldo's contract before the World Cup in Qatar and, while performing admirably, is not the calibre of striker United are crying out for.

Ten Hag expects to change that when the window reopens for business, expressing the need for such a recruit.

"Everyone is different, obviously, but for a striker the main thing is to score goals by any method, that is so far ahead of anything else," he told Sky Sports.

"We need a striker who scores goals because we have ability in the team to put balls in the box, so we need a striker to finish.

"We have to build a new future and we need a striker who not only scores goals but contributes by linking up play very well and pressing, which is very important."

While recruitment of a new striker is clearly a priority for the upcoming transfer window, United will have to look within to provide the difference until the end of the season.

Having thrown away a two-goal lead on Thursday to draw 2-2 with Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final first leg, Ten Hag is keen for his side to be more ruthless.

"First it has to come out of the development of the team, so we are aware that when we are dominant in a game, we have to kill the game," he added.

"We didn't do that and we let the opponent back in the tie. That was not good, it's a bad habit we have to hammer out.

"We demand from the players and the players demand from each other.

"You do your job always to 100 per cent, there are no ifs, buts or maybes, you have to deliver the performance in every circumstance."

United are away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich are reportedly both in contact with Spanish midfielder Gavi amid concerns that Barcelona's financial position will mean they are unable to retain him.

Gavi, 18, is one of the top central midfield prospects in the world, having already racked up 87 senior appearances for Barcelona since debuting in the 2021-22 season.

According to AS, the contract extension Gavi signed this season to tie him to Barcelona until 2026 was rejected by LaLiga because of the club's finances and, if they fail to clear enough salary room by June 30, Gavi will be allowed to leave on a free transfer.

TOP STORY – CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SHARKS CIRCLING VULNERABLE BARCELONA

AS reports Chelsea have already met with Gavi's agent in an attempt to convince him of a Premier League move, and a second meeting is expected with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and Gavi's parents in attendance.

The report states Chelsea are prepared to make the teen with 19 senior caps for Spain one of the Premier League's highest-paid players – significantly more than the contract he signed with Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Sport adds Bayern have also alerted Gavi's agent that they are prepared to submit a significant offer if he ends up being allowed to leave on a free.

ROUND-UP

– 90min is reporting Chelsea are confident they will be able to convince 24-year-old Napoli striker Victor Osimhen to join, despite not being able to offer Champions League football, as Osimhen's childhood hero was Didier Drogba.

– According to Football Insider, Liverpool have made 24-year-old Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister their top midfield target in the off-season.

– Leeds United have strong interest in Barcelona loanee Ez Abde, with the 21-year-old winger shining during his stint at Osasuna, per Sport.

– Journalist Nicolo Schira is reporting that Roma are considering a contract offer for 31-year-old Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino when he becomes a free agent after the season.

– According to Sport1's Patrick Berger, Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong is keen on a move to Manchester United, although his club is holding out for a €50million (£45m) fee.

Manchester United have confirmed Lisandro Martinez will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a fractured metatarsal during Thursday's Europa League draw against Sevilla.

Martinez was carried from the field by Sevilla's Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel – his Argentina team-mates – after going down unchallenged in the closing stages at Old Trafford.

With Erik ten Hag having already used all of his substitutes, United were forced to finish the quarter-final first-leg clash with 10 men, and Sevilla took advantage to salvage a 2-2 draw from two goals down.

The Red Devils on Friday confirmed centre-back Martinez will not feature again in the 2022-23 campaign.

"Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot," a club statement said.

"However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season."

Martinez was not the only casualty in United's backline on Thursday as Raphael Varane was replaced at half-time after sustaining a knock, and the Frenchman is set to be out "for a few weeks".

Martinez and Varane have built a solid defensive partnership this term, starting together in 16 of United's 29 Premier League games during Ten Hag's first season in charge.

The injuries represent a huge blow for United, who will look to boost their hopes of a top-four finish at Nottingham Forest on Sunday ahead of Thursday's return fixture against Sevilla.

With Martinez and Varane absent, Ten Hag is likely to turn to Harry Maguire – who put through his own net late on against Sevilla – and Victor Lindelof for United's forthcoming fixtures.

United are already without leading goalscorer Marcus Rashford after the 25-year-old suffered a muscle injury, while Bruno Fernandes will be suspended for next week's trip to Seville.

Erik ten Hag told Manchester United to "look in the mirror" and cut out their costly errors as he deployed a Dutch idiom to explain how he saved Bruno Fernandes from a costly Europa League red card.

The United manager threw his support behind Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, who could both get a run in the team after injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane blighted Thursday's 2-2 draw with Sevilla at Old Trafford.

He also said it was too soon to gauge the severity of those injuries, even though he has his private suspicions.

Ten Hag then brought a touch of levity to a routine pre-match press conference, ahead of Sunday's trip to Nottingham Forest, when he explained why he substituted playmaker Fernandes against Sevilla.

The Dutch boss suspected his Portuguese star was at risk of being sent off, having thrown the ball away after already being booked, and he guessed any further indiscipline would see the key man ordered off.

"I don't want to take a risk. Where I come from, they call it 'looking a cow in the ass'. We call it that in my region of the Netherlands," Ten Hag said.

United were 2-0 up at the time of the substitution, with Christian Eriksen taking over from Fernandes.

Late own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Maguire scuppered hopes of victory in the first leg of the quarter-final, however, after Marcel Sabitzer's early double had put United in control.

"We had back luck definitely with injuries and the goals," Ten Hag said. "But you can avoid it, and we had to avoid it, so we also have to look in the mirror."

Asked about the injuries, Ten Hag could not specify how long Martinez and Varane may face on the sidelines. Reports Martinez may have a broken metatarsal were brushed aside but not denied.

Ten Hag said: "I don't have a complete diagnosis, so I can't say in this moment. When we have news we will give it straight to you.

"But let's do the medical, do their assessment and get a complete diagnosis, and then we will give the news. But I think it doesn't change in this moment. I have an idea, but I don't go with speculation."

He wants Maguire and Lindelof to prove their value to the team, although Maguire must miss next week's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion due to suspension.

Ten Hag said he had "a lot" of faith in both defenders, who have faced criticism in the past, saying: "They are decent centre-halves. We have four or five very good centre-halves who can do the job."

What Ten Hag would have no time for is anyone who might see it as a big demand to come into the first team from out in the cold.

"I think then you're finding excuses and when you want to find excuses or set excuses then you don't have to play at Man United and you have to look for another club," Ten Hag said. "You have to wait for your moment and when your moment is there you have to contribute and to bring your performance, this is what we demand."

Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw, both absent against Sevilla, could be back on duty at the City Ground this weekend.

French forward Anthony Martial will also be involved but is unlikely to play 90 minutes as United manage his fitness after a recent hip problem.

"Maybe he can, but it's a risk," said Ten Hag, "and we can't take that risk at this moment because we don't have so many options in the front line with [Marcus] Rashford and [Alejandro] Garnacho injured, so we have to be careful."

Manchester City gained ground on Arsenal last week, cutting the Gunners' lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.

City, who have a game in hand, beat lowly Southampton last time out and on Saturday face another relegation battler in the form of Leicester City, who will be under the stewardship of Dean Smith for the first time.

Arsenal, meanwhile, take on West Ham in a London Derby. The Hammers are also fighting at the wrong end of the table, though two wins from their last three league matches has given David Moyes' team some confidence.

Nottingham Forest are another team scrapping for survival, and Steve Cooper will be looking to make home advantage count against Manchester United.

Likewise, Leeds United will hope the Elland Road faithful help propel them to victory against Liverpool, who they beat at Anfield earlier in the campaign.

With the help of Opta data, here are some key predictions ahead of another fascinating weekend of Premier League action.

Manchester City v Leicester City

City have won 10 of their last 12 Premier League games against Leicester City (L2), winning the last four in a row since a 5-2 home defeat in September 2020.

Having been beaten in seven of their last eight Premier League games (D1), Leicester have now lost 19 league matches overall this term. Not since 2001-02 (20) have the Foxes lost 20+ league matches in one season, and should they lose against City, it will be the joint-second earliest they have ever hit 20 defeats in a Football League campaign.

Leicester midfielder James Maddison has scored in this exact fixture in each of the last two campaigns; only two visiting players have scored a Premier League goal at Etihad Stadium in three consecutive seasons – Collins John (2004-05 to 2006-07) and Tim Cahill (2008-09 to 2010-11).

Best bet – Erling Haaland to score: Is there any way to stop Haaland? Many teams have tried, and nearly all have failed. The Norway international is already on 30 league goals this season, averaging a strike every 73 minutes with a shot conversion rate of 33.3 per cent. Given Leicester's defensive frailties, the 22-year-old will be licking his lips.

Long shot – Leicester to keep a clean sheet: The Foxes have not prevented the opposition from scoring in a league match since November, when they beat West Ham 2-0. If they are to get out of trouble, then interim boss Smith has to find a way to tighten things up at the back.

Opta prediction: Leicester won four of their first five Premier League visits to Man City (L1) but have since lost five of their last six games at the Etihad Stadium (W1). It is no surprise, then, that Opta's supercomputer has City as huge favourites (75.1 per cent), while Leicester are given only an 8.5 per cent chance of pulling off a win. 

West Ham v Arsenal

Arsenal have won 11 Premier League away games this season, only winning more on the road in 2001-02 (14) and 2004-05 (12). The Gunners have the most wins (11), most points (35), most goals scored (30) and fewest goals conceded (11) of any team away from home in the Premier League this term.

They have also won eight Premier League games against West Ham after conceding the first goal, including a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture in December. It is both the most wins Arsenal have against an opponent when conceding first, and the most defeats West Ham have against a side when opening the scoring in the competition.

Arsenal have scored 72 goals from an xG of 60.1 in the Premier League this season, with their difference of +11.9 bettered only by Manchester City (12.2). Meanwhile, West Ham have scored 27 goals from an xG of 38.4, with their difference of -11.4 the biggest negative difference this term.

Best bet – Arsenal to score first and avoid defeat: The Gunners are the only team yet to lose a Premier League game when scoring the first goal this season, winning 18 and drawing three. However, they did let a two-goal lead slip in their 2-2 draw at Liverpool last time out.

Long shot – West Ham to win: West Ham have won just two of their last 29 Premier League games against Arsenal (D5 L22), who have only lost three of their 26 Premier League visits to West Ham (W14 D9) and have won nine of their last 14 away games against the Hammers (D4 L1).

Opta prediction: Given West Ham's woeful record against the Gunners, their chances of success are ranked at only 28.8 per cent by Opta, with the draw at 28.4 per cent. The likelihood of Arsenal winning is 42.8 per cent.

Nottingham Forest v Manchester United

This is Forest's first home league game against United since February 1999, when they lost 8-1 with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scoring four times as a substitute.

Forest are winless (D3 L6) and without a clean sheet in their last nine Premier League games. In fact, Forest are winless in all 23 league games in which they have conceded this season (D8 L15), with all six of their victories being to nil.

United have lost three of their last four away games in the Premier League (W1), having only lost three of their first 10 on the road this season (W5 D2). The Red Devils have conceded 29 away goals in 14 away league games this term; not since 1978-79 have they hit 30 goals conceded within their first 15 away matches of a league campaign.

Best bet – United to avoid defeat: United have won their last nine games against Forest in all competitions, beating them three times this season alone (once in the league, twice in the EFL Cup). The Red Devils have beaten a side four times in a season twice before, doing so against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993-94 and Chelsea in 2010-11.

Long shot – Jesse Lingard to score: Lingard has yet to score for Forest in the league. He could become the third former United player to score his first Premier League goal for a side against the Red Devils, after Keith Gillespie at Sheffield United in 2006-07, and Dan James for Fulham this season.

Opta prediction: United have won their last six Premier League games against Nottingham Forest, scoring at least three goals on each occasion, and they are the favourites for Sunday's game, with Opta suggesting they have a 52.6 per cent likelihood of taking three points. Forest are given a 20.6 per cent chance. The draw is ranked at 26.8 per cent.

Leeds United v Liverpool

Leeds slumped to a 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in their last home game, and sit just two points above the bottom three. Depending on results elsewhere, the Whites could be in the relegation zone by the time Monday's game comes around. They are looking for only their second Premier League double over Liverpool, previously achieving that feat in the 2000-01 campaign.

Liverpool have not lost any of their last five league visits to Elland Road against Leeds (W3 D2) since losing 4-3 in November 2000, with Mark Viduka scoring all four for the hosts that day.

The Reds are averaging 0.87 points per game away from home in the Premier League this season (13 points in 15 away games), their lowest in a campaign since 1992-93 (0.76 – 16 points in 21 games). 

Best bet – Mohamed Salah to be involved in a goal: Salah has seven goals in five Premier League appearances against Leeds for Liverpool, scoring in their 3-0 win at Elland Road last season. No Reds player has more Premier League goals against Leeds than Salah (Robbie Fowler also seven), while only Gordon Hodgson has more in their league history (nine).

Long shot – Under 1.5 goals: Leeds have shipped 10 goals in their three Premier League games in April (W1 L2), more than any other team so far this month. Liverpool, who are winless in their last five games in all competitions (D2 L3), have netted 15 times in their last five top-flight meetings with the Whites.

Opta prediction: Despite their dismal form on the road, Liverpool are made big favourites by Opta (61.4 per cent). A Leeds win is ranked at 15.8 per cent, with a draw forecast at 22.8 per cent.

There is no margin for error when it comes to selecting your fantasy team with just six weeks of the Premier League season to go.

Whether you are battling to win the league, striving to climb off the bottom or desperate to catch or family member above you, it is vital to pick up precious points before it’s too late.

While you may have been picking up points galore in recent weeks and reluctant to make changes, be wary of missing out by keeping the faith.

Using Opta data, Stats Perform have picked out four players to get in your team for the latest set of matches.

David de Gea (Nottingham Forest v Manchester United)

Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea has the joint-highest number of top-flight clean sheets this season, racking up 13 along with Newcastle United's Nick Pope.

Seven of the Spaniard's shutouts have come in 2023 and that can rise to eight when the Red Devils face struggling Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Forest have failed to score in all three games against United so far this season, with De Gea playing in two of those matches.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Leeds United v Liverpool)

Liverpool full-back Alexander-Arnold produced a third assist this year for Roberto Firmino to equalise late in a pulsating 2-2 draw with leaders Arsenal last Sunday.

Only Kieran Trippier (420) and Kevin De Bruyne (298) have played more passes into the opposition box than the England international's 287 this season.

Alexander-Arnold has provided assists in each of his previous two trips to Leeds United in the top flight and, with the Whites suffering a 5-1 hammering at home to Crystal Palace last time out, he can capitalise on their defensive frailties on Monday.

Michael Olise (Southampton v Crystal Palace)

Olise caused Leeds all sorts of problems in that rout at Elland Road on Sunday, becoming only the second Palace player to provide three assists in a Premier League match.

Leeds were unable to contain winger Olise, who has produced 13 assists since the start of last season. Only De Bruyne has more assists than Olise per 90 minutes of the players who have featured in at least 3,000 minutes during that time.

Olise can torment bottom-of-the-table Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday.

Ivan Toney (Wolves v Brentford)

Brentford striker Toney has scored 18 Premier League goals and provided four assists this season.

Only Erling Haaland (35) and Harry Kane (25) have more goal involvements in the division in the 2022-23 campaign.

Toney has scored twice and laid one goal on in his Premier League encounters with Wolves, a tally he can add to at Molineux on Saturday.

Heavyweight clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool, Napoli and Milan are reportedly closely monitoring the exciting Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga due to his affordable release clause.

Veiga, 20, is enjoying the best season of his young career, with the skilful central midfielder forcing his way into manager Carlos Carvahal's best XI.

Playing mostly as an attacking midfielder, Veiga has racked up nine goals in 26 LaLiga appearances, earning his first call-up to the Spain Under-21 team along the way.

His play in one of the top leagues in the world has caught the eye of midfielder-hungry Champions League sides, with his release clause providing a more affordable alternative to some of the other top central midfielders on the market in the upcoming transfer window.

TOP STORY – PREMIER LEAGUE AND SERIE A GIANTS CLAMOUR FOR VEIGA

Veiga is said to have a €40million (£35m) release clause, which Galician newspaper Atlantico says has caught the attention of Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle United, Napoli and Milan.

The report states Celta Vigo are prepared for a big club to come and activate that clause in the off-season, and they will not budge or negotiate a lower figure.

The emergence of Veiga provides another option for clubs who have been closely following Brighton and Hove Albion 21-year-old Moises Caicedo, who is believed to be valued around £80m, or £100m-plus teenager Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund.

ROUND-UP

– The Guardian is reporting Liverpool, Chelsea and United are the leading candidates in the chase for 24-year-old Brighton and Argentina standout Alexis Mac Allister, with Puroboca.com quoting the player's father, Carlos, as saying: "It is most likely that Alexis will already be playing in another team next July."

– According to Foot Mercato, Nice are hoping to receive a €60m (£53m) fee in return for 22-year-old midfielder Khephren Thuram, with Paris Saint-Germain, Dortmund, Liverpool and City all said to be circling the France international.

– Roma are reportedly in advanced talks with 24-year-old Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar ahead of his contract expiring in a few months, although they will face competition from Real Betis and Eintracht Frankfurt, per Fabrizio Romano.

– 90min is reporting Chelsea are confident they will be able to sign 24-year-old Mason Mount to a new long-term contract.

– According to CBS Sports, Al Nassr are targeting either Zinedine Zidane or Jose Mourinho as their future manager after the club where Cristiano Ronaldo plays fired Rudi Garcia.

Erik ten Hag was left ruing injury problems as Manchester United suffered late heartbreak against Sevilla in the Europa League, while Marcel Sabitzer slammed "two stupid goals" to concede.

Sabitzer's first-half double seemingly had United in complete control of Thursday's quarter-final first leg, with Ten Hag's hosts dominant throughout at Old Trafford.

Yet a Tyrell Malacia own goal six minutes from time handed Sevilla hope before Harry Maguire deflected into his own net in the 92nd minute.

Ten Hag insisted United's 2-2 draw was down to bad fortune, as opposed to his substitutes collapsing under late pressure.

The United manager told BT Sport: "I think we had the game in hand, we were 2-0 up and should have scored three or four. The game was totally on us.

"Some unlucky moments with injuries. Raphael Varane at half-time, Anthony Martial because it was his first start, Antony and Bruno Fernandes because they were on a yellow card.

"Then we lose control at an unlucky moment, then another unlucky moment with Lisandro [Martinez] going off injured when we go down to 10.

"We conceded two own goals, that is bad luck. We have to learn, we have to kill the game, but everything is open for the next game.

"I know we can do better with those players in the last part of the game, we had to be more composed and could benefit from our counter-attacking opportunities, but we didn't.

"We were a little bit unlucky with the defending, two own goals and deflected shots, it's not a nice night."

The late drama saw United become just the second English side to score two own goals in a single match in a major European competition, after Chelsea against Ten Hag's Ajax in November 2019.

It was also the first time United failed to win a match in a major European competition when they had a two-goal lead, since a 3-3 draw with Basel in September 2011.

Sabitzer was left struggling to find an explanation for the chaotic finale after United relinquished what appeared to be an unassailable position.

"I have problems finding the right words, like a rollercoaster game," the United loanee told BT Sport.

"We played a good first half, had good chances after and we had to finish the game off. At the end, it is a draw and that's not what we wanted so we have to go to Sevilla and get it done there.

"Unfortunately we gave away easy goals, we cannot concede these types of goals and we are very disappointed now.

"In a competition like this you have to be focused until the end, when you have a per cent less you can give the game away.

"I think the last minutes were a bit strange, one man down and we had to get the result done.

"But as I said, two stupid goals and that is not what we wanted. Very frustrated. You cannot concede like this and not focus until the end when you are 2-0 up at home, you have to get it done."

United will hope to fight back in the return leg at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, though the Red Devils face a nervy wait on the fitness of key centre-back pairing Varane and Martinez.

Ten Hag suggested Varane aggravated an injury that kept him on the sidelines after March's international break, while the Dutchman was concerned Martinez went down despite not challenging another player.

"Licha drops out after a moment when there was no opponent involved, it doesn't look that great so we have to wait," Ten Hag added.

"The same with Rafa, an injury he has complained about over the last few weeks, so we have to see how it is now."

Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia put through their own goal late on as Manchester United squandered a comfortable lead in a 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

Captain Maguire deflected into his own net in the 92nd minute, just eight minutes after Malacia had turned past David de Gea as Sevilla somehow found a way back at Old Trafford in the quarter-final first leg.

A Marcel Sabitzer first-half double appeared to have Erik ten Hag's hosts in complete control, only for the late drama to leave United reeling by full-time.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side will boast home advantage in a week's time as they eye a seventh Europa League title since the 2006-07 season.

Jadon Sancho fired past Sevilla keeper Bono with less than 30 seconds on the clock, only to be curtailed by a late offside flag.

A smart Bono stop denied Antony soon after, though the goalkeeper could do little two minutes later as Bruno Fernandes found Sabitzer, whose strike deflected into the top-left corner.

Sabitzer added his second just six minutes later after latching onto Anthony Martial's throughball and drilling past Bono.

De Gea kept United's lead intact at the interval after producing an expert save against a Tanguy Nianzou header from Ivan Rakitic's corner.

Antony twice went close after the break, whipping a curling effort wide before seeing a similar attempt smash off Bono's right post.

Christian Eriksen's 62nd-minute introduction after three months out injured came as United seemed set for victory, only for Malacia to offer Sevilla hope when turning Jesus Navas' low cross into his own net.

Sevilla then seized an unlikely comeback in the closing stages as Youssef En-Nesyri's header fortuitously deflected off Maguire and wrongfooted De Gea.

What does it mean? Sevilla record plays Devil in United's mind

United defeated Real Sociedad in the group stages and edged past LaLiga leaders Barcelona in the first knockout round before comfortably dispatching Real Betis in the last 16.

Their impressive run against Spanish sides appeared all but certain to continue until the late drama, as Sevilla maintained their streak of never losing against United, with this their third European meeting.

With that record in the back of United's minds at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, Ten Hag will have to find a way past Mendilibar's side, who will be buoyed with confidence following their late fightback.

Fantastic Fernandes withdrawn

Fernandes has 60 goals and 50 assists since his United debut in February 2020, with Lionel Messi (80G, 59A) the only other player in Europe's top-five leagues to hit half-centuries for both those returns in that period.

Yet Ten Hag opted to withdraw the midfielder for Eriksen, a decision that proved costly and United's misery will be compounded as Fernandes will miss the second leg due to his first-half caution.

United gift Sevilla chance

United could have extended their lead multiple times in the second half, boosting hopes of a treble after winning the EFL Cup and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

But after United became just the second English side to score two own goals in a single match in a major European competition, after Chelsea against Ten Hag's Ajax in November 2019, Sevilla will fancy their chances.

What's next?

Before the return leg in Spain, United visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday, when Sevilla travel to Valencia in LaLiga.

Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia put through their own goal late on as Manchester United squandered a comfortable lead in a 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

Captain Maguire deflected into his own net in the 92nd minute, just eight minutes after Malacia had turned past David de Gea as Sevilla somehow found a way back at Old Trafford in the quarter-final first leg.

A Marcel Sabitzer first-half double appeared to have Erik ten Hag's hosts in complete control, only for the late drama to leave United reeling by full-time.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side will boast home advantage in a week's time as they eye a seventh Europa League title since the 2006-07 season.

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) has expressed "great concern" following reports of a further delay to the club's ongoing takeover talks.

United announced in November that their owners, the Glazer family, were exploring options including a potential sale.

After a deadline for expression of interest passed, a second deadline in March was extended by a few days and, while that was widely seen as the final stage before a preferred bidder was selected, it has been reported that a third stage is now under way.

Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus announced on Wednesday he was withdrawing from the process, labelling the situation as "a farce", and MUST has now issued its thoughts on the matter.

"When it was announced in November that the Glazers were undertaking a 'strategic review' and inviting offers to buy the club, MUST welcomed the news and went on to urge the majority owners to move ahead with the process with speed, so that any period of uncertainty was as short as possible," a statement read.

"Nearly five months on, we read speculation that offers from prospective buyers remain below the Glazers' valuation, and that a third round of offers will now be invited.

"With Erik Ten Hag having made such great progress in his first season, and with the vital summer transfer window a matter of weeks away, the news of these delays and further prolonged uncertainty are of great concern.

"Erik needs to know what resources he has to spend, so he can make the signings the club needs, and the whole management resources of the club need to be focussed on supporting him in that. That cannot be the case with the future ownership so unclear.

"We are also unable to move forward on major investment projects – not least the stadium redevelopment as we remain in limbo.

"We are in dire need of new investment, which undoubtedly requires new ownership. MUST, along with United fans all around the world, are calling for this process to be concluded without further delay."

Joao Cancelo has spent the second half of this season on loan at Bayern Munich, having fallen out of starting XI favour at Manchester City.

The Portugal full-back had penned a contract extension with City in January last year, tying him down to 2027.

But Cancelo's time at Bayern has reportedly not convinced the Germans to pursue a permanent deal, creating uncertainty about his future.

TOP STORY – MADRID TO MAKE CANCELO BID

Real Madrid are interested in a move for Joao Cancelo and will submit a bid of around €60million (£52.8m) to Manchester City for his services, claims Fichajes.

The report claims Madrid are eager to improve their current first-choice full-backs Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal, hence the interest in the Portuguese.

Los Blancos like the versatility of Cancelo, who has made 13 appearances with only eight starts since joining Bayern in January.

ROUND-UP

– Florian Plettenberg claims Liverpool's shortlist for midfielders includes West Ham United's Declan Rice, Wolves' Matheus Nunes, Inter's Nicolo Barella and Brighton and Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo having dropped out of the race for Jude Bellingham.

– Barcelona are ready to ramp up their advances to sign Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan after being impressed by his midweek Champion League display against Bayern Munich, reports Sport.

– Bayern midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has interest from Premier League trio Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, reports Footmercato.

– Chris Smalling is set to pen a new two-year deal with Roma according to iSport, amid interest from Inter, Juventus and some Premier League clubs.

– Bild claims RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer will join Bayern on a four-year deal in the off-season. Laimer's Leipzig deal ends at the end of this season.