Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has aimed swipe at Harry Maguire for his ‘lack of leadership’ as Lisandro Martinez was lifted off of the pitch against Sevilla.
The Argentine defender picked up an injury in the Red Devils’ 2-2 with the Spanish club in the Europa League. He crumpled to the ground under no challenge and was carried off of the pitch by his international teammates Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel.
While that gesture was praiseworthy, Schmeichel was not convinced that it was as innocent as first perceived and was disappointed with United captain Maguire for not intervening.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, the former Danish international said: “It looks like [the] Sevilla players are nice carrying him off the pitch. No, they wanted him out so they could get going.
“[The] United players should have stopped that, that’s a lack of leadership on the pitch. Harry Maguire should have managed that situation.”
After Martinez’s withdrawal, the Red Devils were forced to play the rest of the game with 10 men. He went off immediately after Sevilla had reduced their two-goal deficit through Tyrell Malacia’s own-goal.
Villarreal quickly found themselves level as Maguire then put through his own net as he deflected En-Nesyri’s header past David de Gea.
Schmeichel claimed the result was fair after his former team took their foot off the gas in the second period having raced into a two-goal lead.
“It’s a fair enough result, the way that it developed in the second half,” Schmeichel said. “The players of Manchester United have missed a very good opportunity here.
“A few players today need to have a look at themselves and think about whether they are contributing to the team enough. There are a few players who should be embarrassed with their performances.
“De Gea played well, he made two fantastic saves, could not do anything about the goals. He kept Man Utd in the lead to no avail. Casemiro came back and played really well as well.
“The best player is the guy who scored two goals – Marcel Sabitzer was really good. His team-mates have let him down… he showed the way and they didn’t catch on to it.
“It’s 2-2 and as a Man Utd supporter, I’m really disappointed. This could and should have been a 5-0 win.”
