A remarkable statistic, highlighting the recent struggles of Manchester United in fixtures against Spanish opposition, has come to the fore late on Thursday evening.
United, of course, were back in action a short time ago.
Fresh off surrendering a two-goal advantage in the tie’s opener at Old Trafford this day last week, Erik ten Hag’s troops made the trip to Andalusia, for the 2nd-leg of their Europa League quarter-final showdown with Sevilla.
The Red Devils headed into proceedings in the knowledge that an eventual victory would keep alive hopes of a cup treble come the season’s close.
When all was said and done, however, not only were United sent packing from Europe, but they were sent packing in frankly embarrassing fashion.
Owing in no small part to mistakes on the part of Harry Maguire and David de Gea, the evening’s visitors were condemned to the wrong side of a 3-0 result.
A terrible night for Man Utd only gets worse…
David De Gea will not want to watch this game back 😬#UEL pic.twitter.com/z9iiPlCDZE
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 20, 2023
The stat in question surrounds United’s struggles against La Liga opposition, with it having been revealed that each of the club’s last six eliminations from the knockout rounds of European competition have come at the hands of Spanish opposition:
The last six sides to knock Man Utd out in the knockout rounds of the Champions League and Europa League:
◉ Sevilla (2017/18)
◉ Barca (2018/19)
◉ Sevilla (2019/20)
◉ Villarreal (2020/21)
◉ Atletico (2021/22)
◉ Sevilla (2022/23)Another defeat in Spain. 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/3ViYtbFXQN
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 20, 2023
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