Europa League: United host Sevilla without Rashford, but they "play best football with Martial"

Manchester United host Sevilla in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final, but they will have to attack the Spanish side without their best attacker Marcus Rashford. However, head coach Erik Ten Hag reckons his team play best football when Anthony Martial is in the side.

French striker Marial only made 17 appearances for United this season as injuries continued to make his life miserable. But he came off the bench and scored against Everton in the Premier League last weekend, prompting Ten Hag to hail him as the solution for Rashford's absence.

"I see how Martial contributes to this team. I just point to the stats. The stats tell you that the moment he is on the pitch, the time he needs for a goal is less than others. When he is in the team - I refer to games against Man City, against Liverpool when he's in the team - we play our best football and have our best results."

Sevilla has been going through one of the most challenging seasons in recent history. They sacked two coaches and are struggling to get the best out of their new players - with the fanbase getting restless. But they are the bosses of the Europa League, having won the competition a record six times. Three years ago, they eliminated Manchester United on their way to the title. Ten Hag rates the opponent highly despite them currently placed only 13th in La Liga.

"They have a big reputation winning the Europa League. They won the Europa League most of all clubs in Europe, so that is a magnificent record so we have to be aware of it because that is their target. We are sure 100 per cent motivated to go again. If we want to beat them, we have to play our best football and everyone has to deliver their best performance."

In-form midfielder Scott McTominay will be absent for United. Still, they will welcome Casemiro back into the team and field the midfield trio where the former Real Madrid star sits behind Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen.

In the early game, Roma and Feyenoord will stage a replay of the last season's Europa Conference League final. That time, Jose Mourinho's team lifted the trophy, but the team from Rotterdam is on fire this season and leads the title race against Ajax. They score for fun and will give Mourinho's men a big test at their noisy De Kuip stadium.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

Quarter-final, first leg

Thursday

19:45: (2.30) Feyenoord (3.35) Roma (3.40)

22:00: (1.42) Man.Utd. (4.80) Sevilla (9.00)

22:00: (1.85) Juventus (3.60) Sporting (4.90)

22:00: (1.63) Leverkusen (4.00) St.Gilloise (6.25)

***odds are subject to change***