![\"Paul](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/240\/cpsprodpb\/17374\/production\/_100129059_paulpogba.jpg)
<\/p>\nOnce again, it was the absence of Pogba from the Manchester United starting line-up that dominated the build-up to the game.<\/p>\n
Pogba missed Saturday’s\u00a02-0 FA Cup win at Huddersfield\u00a0because he was unwell but had been expected to return to the first XI in Seville.<\/p>\n
Instead, the \u00a389m midfielder was named on the bench, with Mourinho saying Pogba’s illness “created some doubts” about whether he could start on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The France midfielder has struggled for form in recent weeks and had little impact on this game after his early introduction because of Herrera’s injury.<\/p>\n
However, it was not the sort of a game where his influence would perhaps be obvious.<\/p>\n
United set up to defend deep, with Mourinho appearing to prioritise keeping a clean sheet over scoring an away goal. It wasn’t pretty but it was an effective away performance.<\/p>\n
De Gea proves he’s one of the world’s best… again<\/strong><\/p>\n United’s FA Cup win over Huddersfield was far from a dominant victory. The Red Devils had two shots on target and scored two goals, with Romelu Lukaku getting both.<\/p>\n Once again Mourinho’s side offered little offensively – Lukaku had the visitors’ first shot on goal in the 25th minute but volleyed well over.<\/p>\n Instead it was left to De Gea to ensure his side came away from Spain with a positive result.<\/p>\n The United keeper memorably produced a string of fine saves to deny\u00a0Arsenal in the Premier League\u00a0back in December and it was a similar story this time.<\/p>\n As Sevilla pressed in the closing stages of the first half, the Spanish shot-stopper was alert to keep out Correa’s placed effort before tipping over a header by former Stoke midfielder N’Zonzi.<\/p>\n De Gea saved his best for the stroke of half-time. Muriel found space between Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling to direct a header at goal from point-blank range.<\/p>\n It looked to be a certain goal before De Gea flicked out his right hand to bat the ball away.<\/p>\n So impressive was the save from Muriel that the Sevilla forward himself acknowledged it, embracing De Gea as the two teams headed for the tunnel at the break.<\/p>\n Man of the match – David de Gea<\/strong><\/p>\n ‘Not good and not bad’ – what they said<\/strong><\/p>\n Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella:\u00a0<\/b>“I am very happy with the character shown by the team.<\/p>\n “We have to be pleased with the performance. The 0-0 leaves everything open.”<\/p>\n Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho:\u00a0<\/b>“The only moment where we felt relieved was in the last couple of moments of the first half when from a couple of our mistakes in possession they had a couple of good situations and De Gea made good saves.<\/p>\n “Apart from that the game was even, but the statistics are what they are.<\/p>\n “I really feel the result reflected what the game was – you ask me was it a good result, and I say it was not good and not bad.”<\/p>\n Another clean sheet for Man Utd – the stats<\/strong><\/p>\n Manchester United have a big game in the Premier League up next as they host Chelsea on Sunday, 25 February (14:05 GMT).<\/p>\n –<\/p>\n Source: BBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" David de Gea’s stunning first-half save helped Manchester United claim a creditable draw at Sevilla in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The Spain keeper had kept out efforts from Joaquin Correa and Steven N’Zonzi before showing quick reflexes to produce a one-handed save on the stroke of half-time and deny Luis […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":403453,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[104,15319],"yoast_head":"\n![\"David](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/240\/cpsprodpb\/17CC\/production\/_100129060_daviddegea.jpg)
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What next?<\/h3>\n
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