Photo: Manchester United Manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has mde winning the Europa League a priority this season. (Getty Images)
Sevilla FC and Manchester United will square off in the first of two semifinals in the UEFA Europa League at the Stadion Koln on Sunday.
Sevilla have won the competition a total of five times, including three consecutive wins from 2014-2016 before their reign was ended by Manchester United who were crowned champions in 2017.
Both teams secured narrow 1-0 wins to advance to the semifinals with Sevilla edging out English opponents Wolves with ann 88th minute winner while United needed extra time to earn the win over FC Copenhagen.
The teams have met only twice before in Europe, with the first being a draw in Sevilla before the Spanish team won in Manchester, in the quarterfinals of the Champions League in 2017-2018.
Neither team has tasted European glory since last winning this tournament and both managers have targeted this title this season.
Sevilla finished fourth in La Liga and so will be playing in the Champions League next season, but they will be looking to get into the Europa League final as they hunt title number six.
United will also be playing Champions League football next season after coming from way off the pace to finish third in the Premier League.
For Julen Lopetegui the path to the final will be through another English team after dispatching Wolves and his tactics are likely to be the same as they were a few days ago.
Sevilla possess the ball well and will be looking to do the same against a Manchester United team that enjoys playing on the counterattack, which means both teams are likely to be playing to their strengths in a game that is likely to be a close and engaging affair.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in his first full season as United manager and has made no secret of his desire to win this title.
His triple attacking threat in Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood have been supported by Portuguese sensation Bruno Fernandes who has been lethal from 12 yards. Manchester United have been awarded the most penalties in Europe this season and Fernandes has been perfect from the spot.
Expect few goals in this game.
The winner will face either Inter Milan or Shakhtar Donetsk in the final on Friday.
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