Sevilla star Ivan Rakitic tells Manchester United they will ‘suffer’ in cold warning
Ivan Rakitic believes Sevilla's 'unique' stadium will shock Manchester United when they meet in the Europa League on Thursday.
The quarter-final first leg meeting at Old Trafford saw the Red Devils lose their 2-0 lead as Marcel Sabitzer's goals were cancelled out by two late own goals off Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire.
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With the Carabao Cup already won this season, Erik ten Hag's side will be set on staying in the Europa League in a season which has also seen them reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
But despite having a solid season following their summer rebuild, Man United fell apart in the final minutes against Sevilla last week, with even Ten Hag admitting they 'f****d it up'.
Now, Sevilla star Rakitic has warned Man United that they shouldn't expect an easy ride against the LaLiga side in the reverse fixture thanks to their 'impressive' home advantage.
Speaking to ahead of the tie which is live on talkSPORT, the 35-year-old said: "These people don't know what awaits them on Thursday.
"It is a team with a lot of experience and many millions, but United does not know what Ramón Sanchez-Pizjuán is like packed.
"I know from when I was at Barcelona that players from other teams sing the Sevilla anthem on the pitch.
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"It's unique. What our fans have created is very impressive."
Much like Rakitic, Man United stars David de Gea and Casemiro have also played at Sevilla's ground as away players in LaLiga on numerous occasions.
The former visited with Atletico Madrid, whilst the latter did so with Real Madrid, and Rakitic believes the visitors need use the duo's experience when it comes to facing Sevilla's home crowd, on top of dealing with the the team's threat on the pitch.
"De Gea or Casemiro, who have played here, will surely explain to them that this is something else," he continued. "You get anywhere and they say that this is Sevilla’s competition.
"They are going to have to suffer, I cannot guarantee that we will qualify but we are going to leave everything on the field."
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But despite Rakitic's confidence in the boost his side will have at home, he did insist Man United's power both on and the pitch isn't to be underestimated, even though this season is just the beginning of the Ten Hag era.
"We are talking about one of the most important teams in Europe and with significant economic potential," he added.
"There are few teams that can take away a Real Madrid starter, Casemiro, that speaks of the strength and potential of Manchester United."
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