Denis Irwin has warned Manchester United face a “tough” task to overcome Sevilla and reach the Europa League final.
United went out to Sevilla in the Champions League last 16 stage two years ago, while the Spanish side, who finished fourth in La Liga this season, have won the Europa League five times.
Against that backdrop, former United defender Iriwn said Ole Gunnar Solskajer's side would rather have played Wolves, who lost 1-0 to Sevilla, in the last four.
“Sevilla are a great side, they kept possession and eventually wore Wolves down,” said Irwin. "I was hoping we'd meet Wolves, we know them a lot better.
"We've had difficulty with Spanish teams, and with Sevilla before, but it's going to be a tough game. They've got one or two really good players dotted in there.
“Ole will play his strongest side now. We had a purple patch when we came back after lockdown and were scoring goals for fun.
“Ole had a settled starting eleven and I can't see him going too far from that. I really can't.
“We tired in the last three or four games in the Premier League but to get that up and running again and pose the threat we did in those five or six games.
“I think Ole will go for that again, I really do.”
Irwin's fellow former United defender Wes Brown also told MUTV : “We have to be on top of our game.
"Sevilla are technically very good and, if we don’t perform to our highest level at this point, we could be punished.
“If we're on the top of our game, we'll cause them a lot of problems, but we need to do it as a team.”
The semi-final clash is scheduled for Sunday night and will be played at Koln's RheinEnergieStadion.
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
.jpg?w=600)
