Man United v Sevilla talking points as defining tests start now for Jose Mourinho

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  • Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho preparing for the visit of Sevilla.

    Buoyed by remarkable victories in the Premier League, Manchester United now turn their attentions to European matters.

    On Tuesday, La Liga’s Sevilla stand in the way of progression to the Champions League’s quarter-finals. There was nothing to separate the teams three weeks ago during a goalless opening leg in Andalusia, in which the hosts did all the running.

    Here are the talking points:

    CUPS ARE NOW KEY

    With the battle for second spot in the Premier League sewn up in memorable fashion by Mourinho since the stalemate at Sevilla, the serious business of adding silverware awaits.

    A trio of epic victories have seen the ‘Special One’ live up to his storied billing in the meantime. Substitute Jesse Lingard earned the 2-1 win triumph against Chelsea, a change of shape saw United come from 2-0 down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 and he outwitted ‘gegenpressing’ opposite number Jurgen Klopp and ruthlessly exposed Liverpool’s weaknesses in Saturday’s commanding 2-1 victory.

    Defining ties will be played in the next five days.

    Overcome Sevilla and United are back in the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 2013/14. Beat Brighton on Saturday and a run to a record-equalling 13th FA Cup for the Red Devils opens up.

    A Europa League and League Cup double salvaged a disappointing debut campaign. These upcoming games will help define 2017/18’s ultimate success.

    Jose Mourinho in buoyant mood after May's Europa League triumph.

    Jose Mourinho in buoyant mood after May’s Europa League triumph.

    ALL GUNS MUST FIRE

    The totems of the Red Devils’ present and future continue to endure contrasting fortunes.

    Local boy Marcus Rashford reinforced his ‘wunderkind’ reputation with a fantastic brace in the weekend’s defeat of bitter rivals Liverpool. This continues the 20-year-old’s renaissance since a lively cameo at Sevilla.

    He transformed the match at Selhurst Park. A double at the weekend came upon his first top-flight start since December 30.

    Yet in the same game, superstar January addition Alexis Sanchez’s struggles to find his spot continued.

    Utilised behind the excellent Romelu Lukaku, the Chile forward had zero shots and just two key passes. It is now 523 minutes since his last – and only – United goal.

    A grandstand performance is long delayed.

    STATS ARE NO SOLACE

    Sevilla fans have ridden a rollercoaster this season.

    It is almost impossible to predict how Vincenzo Montella’s men will fare at Old Trafford. Their form guide in La Liga since performing so well in the scoreless first leg reads; a 5-2 hammering at home by Atletico Madrid, a forgettable 1-0 home win at bottom-placed Malaga, a 2-0 victory against mid-table Athletic Bilbao and then being put to the sword by a Geoffrey Kondogbia-inspired Valencia by the reverse scoreline.

    For a man who dislikes nuance, this unpredictability will unsettle Mourinho. So will United’s record of just two wins from their last 12 games against Spanish opposition.

    Sevilla have not won on six trips to England, or previously progressed past the Champions League’s round of 16.

    Yet a repeat of September’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool will send them through, plus they’ve lost only two of their last 11 away matches in Europe. A tricky test awaits.

    Sevilla's Argentinian midfielder Joaquin Correa celebrates with team-mates after scoring in September's 2-2 draw at Liverpool.

    Sevilla’s Argentinian midfielder Joaquin Correa celebrates with team-mates after scoring in September’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool.

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