Gary Neville jumps to Harry Maguire's defence after mistake during Man United vs Sevilla

Following Harry Maguire's mistake that led to Sevilla scoring their first goal, Gary Neville, a former Manchester United defender, defended the team's captain.

United were aiming to reach the Europa League semifinals on Thursday night but were met with a challenging match against Sevilla.

Erik ten Hag's team got off to a poor start, conceding a goal just eight minutes into their match.

David De Gea's decision to make a risky pass to Maguire on the edge of the penalty area backfired when Sevilla's players intercepted the ball.

Youssef En Nesyri was presented with an excellent chance to score after Erik Lamela snatched the ball away and passed it to him, leaving the striker to finish coolly and put his team ahead 1-0.

Maguire faced significant backlash from fans after his error, but Neville was quick to speak out in support of the player.

He tweeted: “Maguire will get battered but that pass from De Gea I wouldn’t like!”

Maguire will get battered but that pass from DeGea I wouldn’t like!

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 20, 2023

 Robbie Savage, a former player in the Manchester United academy, also supported Maguire in the aftermath of his mistake.

Speaking on BT Sport, Savage said: “United trying to play out from the back, the pass from David de Gea. There’s three white shirts around Harry Maguire, just look. He’s in the middle of the triangle, I’m not sure he wants the ball there.

“It’s good pressing and I tell you what, it’s a wonderful finish. Maguire can do better but why does David de Gea not put the ball out to Wan-Bissaka? The centre half is in the middle of a triangle, three players closing him down.”

Savage continued: “Yes, it’s Maguire’s mistake, but David de Gea surely has got to play the ball to Wan-Bissaka. Very poor. Of course, Manchester United fans and the Manchester United manager would love Fernandes to be playing, he’s not and you can’t legislate for that mistake.

“It’s so poor. Maguire will get the blame but why is David de Gea passing it to him there with three white shirts hunting him down? Just put it wide out of the danger area to Wan-Bissaka, surely?”

After conceding two more goals in the second half, United suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Sevilla, who advanced to the next round of the competition. United's next match will be an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton on Sunday.