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Manchester United need to win the Europa League for this season to be considered a real success, according to former striker Dimitar Berbatov.
Erik ten Hag’s side are locked at 2-2 in their quarter-final with Sevilla heading into Thursday’s second leg in Spain after throwing away a two-goal lead last week.
United ended a six-year trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup in February and also have an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton next weekend.
With a top-four finish in the Premier League now looking a formality, Berbatov is eager to see United go all the way on the continent to make this a truly memorable season.
Berbatov, speaking on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, said: “Winning the trophy is always a good thing.
“But to be successful, in my opinion, really, really successful, I think they should qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League. That’ll be an amazing season.
“If they qualify for the Champions League and don’t win the Europa League, in my mind will be an OK season because of the cup they won.
“But I think with Ten Hag now in charge, seeing the team can perform really well, everybody knows what they need to do on the pitch, the appetite for big things should grow.
“I always connect United with [being] the top one. But this is something that is left in my mind from my time there. Obviously, my time is different to now.
“Man City are top in the Premier League and everybody’s challenging for their spot. United know they have a way to go to catch them. But they’re on the right track.”
United led Sevilla 2-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg thanks to Marcel Sabitzer’s first-half double, only for late own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire to level up the tie.
It marked the first time United had failed to win a European match in which they led by two goals since a 3-3 draw with Basel in September 2011.
The Red Devils now have their work cut out as Sevilla have won 23 of their past 26 home matches in the Europa League, a competition they have won four times in nine years.
Berbatov, who twice finished a Champions League runner-up with United, urged his former side to learn from last week and stay focused right until the final whistle.
He added: “I think now it’s 50-50. If you are two goals up going into the second leg, then it’s a different game.
“Now it’s 2-2, purely because of the lack of concentration in the first game and two own goals. Now they have made their life difficult and they know that.
“That’s why I say it’s 50-50 – Sevilla are a dangerous team. They have a lot of history in the competition and they know how to get out of difficult situations.
“Again, the only thing I can say is United need to be fully concentrated for 90, 95 minutes, 100 minutes, it doesn’t matter. Stay concentrated until the end. They have the quality.
“They’ve been struck with some injuries, but Ten Hag knows how to manage and get the best out of players. The only thing I want to see is concentration for the whole game.”
United have faced Sevilla four times without winning in European competition – their joint-most against a side without winning in Europe, alongside Atletico Madrid.
Dimitar Berbatov and Ben Foster featured in Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s 2022-23 UEFA Europa League campaign content Mission Masterclass. You can view episode one in full at https://youtu.be/XTCqaMGIvyI.
