Tyrell Malacia BLASTED by pundits for own goal against Sevilla

Tyrell Malacia was on the receiving end of heavy criticism for his defending in the final 10 minutes of Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla. 

The 23-year-old conceded a costly own goal in the latter stages of the European first leg at Old Trafford. 

Former Manchester City winger and converted right-back Jesus Navas fired a powerful low cross towards the middle of the six-yard box before Malacia diverted the ball into the net at the near post. 

United went on to concede a second own goal less than 10 minutes later as Harry Maguire was left helpless in defending Youssef En-Nesyri’s header three minutes into injury time. 

Members of the BT Sport punditry team believed that ‘the game changed’ after Malacia’s unfortunate mishap as Sevilla began to mount the pressure in the final minutes of the game. 

Tyrell Malacia conceded an 84th minute own goal in the Europa League clash with Sevilla

© Provided by Daily Mail

Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Owen Hargreaves said that Malacia’s own goal ‘was a huge surprise.’ 

‘It was an easy ball for Malacia to deal with,’ he continued. ‘Maybe he was wary of it bouncing awkwardly. When he looks back tomorrow he will think why didn’t I just clear it. From then on the game changed.’

Paul Scholes was also on punditry duty on Thursday evening and added that Malacia should have done better in dealing with ‘an easy ball.’

He said: ‘Malacia really should have dealt with that first goal at source and he didn’t. From that point on it was a really difficult night. 

‘El Nesyri was a handful when he came on, he looked good in the air. Malacia has to deal with that. He cannot afford to let that ball bounce. He has to come and get rid of it. 

‘He is unaware of the danger behind him. That is where the danger is. It is an easy ball, swing your right foot at it. You cannot let the ball bounce. 

‘Maybe he thinks it will skid on but from then on things go from bad to worse. There are now injuries and suspensions. Then they get the second goal.

© Provided by Daily Mail United will now have to go in to next Thursday’s second leg in Seville on equal terms

During the in-game commentary, Robbie Savage claimed that Malacia had put in a piece of ‘terrible defending’ against Sevilla. 

‘Malacia switches off, I said it when he made the change at half time., Navas on the right-hand side, Malacia in the first half was troubled by Ocampos. 

‘Deal with it. You know that Navas is there. You can see he just leaves it, he thinks it’s going out. Terrible defending.’

After going on to concede a second own goal through Harry Maguire three minutes into injury time, United go in level to the return leg in Spain next Thursday. 

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