5 players to watch in Europa League semi-finals as Man United face Sevilla and Inter Milan take on Shakhtar

The final four is complete, with the sudden death format providing extra intrigue in Germany

The Europa League final four is set as Manchester United take on Sevilla and Inter Milan face Shakhtar Donetsk.

Bruno Fernandes coolly converted Manchester United’s 21st penalty of the season to break the resistance of Copenhagen, or rather Swedish goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson.

While Antonio Conte’s side looked menacing behind Romelu Lukaku’s dominant display to edge past Bayer Leverkusen.

Shakhtar, who won this competition back in 2009, are the outsiders, but remain dangerous with their attacking Brazilian contingent.

Here are five players to follow closely in the semi-finals, which start on Sunday.

Lukaku celebrates vs Leverkusen (POOL/AFP)

Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan

For a while at Manchester United, it seemed as though Romelu Lukaku’s ceiling had been erected. By his 25th birthday, he’d played almost 500 games in his career and the pattern, for all Jose Mourinho’s volatile nurturing, had become well ingrained: streaks or droughts, imposing or anonymous, fierce but always muted in frustration.

Lukaku made little secret of his desire for a fresh start when forcing through an exit last summer. And for his critics that frothed in England – be it Gary Neville calling his perceived unprofessionalism “contagious” or a senior Everton director chiding him as a “big baby” – Lukaku has provided answers with spite and in spades.

Dovetailing with Lautaro Martinez, he became the fastest player in history to score 20 goals in their first season for Inter. This week, in his 49th match of the season, an inspired individual display hauled Antonio Conte’s side into the Europa League semi-finals and thirty-one goals so far makes it the best season of Lukaku’s career. The tough love he’s received from Conte, calling him “trash” in the dressing room after a miserable performance against Slavia Prague, has spiked the confidence and clinical edge in a striker who many believed could never blur the line between prolific and truly elite. Now, he’s indisputably that, and a potential final against Manchester United could bring his fantastic year to a theatric full circle. TK.

Brandon Williams, Manchester United

With Luke Shaw belatedly flourishing at full-back, few individual performances could be as pivotal as Brandon Williams’ in Manchester United’s semi-final against Sevilla. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season, shouldering responsibility with a tenacity and zeal that belies his age, fighting tooth and nail – and often quite literally bloodied and bruised – across a remarkable 35 appearances.

That form saw him justly rewarded with a revised contract lasting until at least 2024 earlier this month, but with uninhibited ambition and youthful impatience, Williams will be aiming to usurp the injured Shaw in the shorter-term. In the final stages of the Europa League, opposition will no doubt highlight his flank as the weaker link and attempt to prey on any flecks of naivety. It’s a task he’s always met resiliently thus far, but these dying minutes of a seemingly unending season could well prove decisive in whether he remains Shaw’s apprentice, or shows that he’s ready now for his own coming of age. TK.

Nico Barella, Inter Milan

The tenacious midfielder lit the fuse for the Nerazzurri against Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals, with his clever finish, carved into the bottom left corner with the outside of his boot, breaking the deadlock in the 2-1 victory.

The 23-year-old’s dynamic, spontaneous movement provides Antonio Conte’s side with the ability to slice through opponents and neatly work the ball in from the left wing-back.

Crucially able to cover ground and block off space, appeasing the disciplined side to Conte’s set-up. A familiar sight for opponents will be Barella’s habit of poking the ball away with an outstretched foot to turn the ball over.

But it’s his willingness to gamble off Romelu Lukaku or follow his pass, sniffing the impending danger to venture forward, that also makes Barella a fine watch. Useful production, with four goals and seven assists this season, Inter are usually on top when Barella plays well, with his ability to maintain an intense press likely to be as valuable as ever with a first final in 10 years within touching distance. JR.

Nicolo Barella celebrates with Lautaro Martinez (POOL/AFP)

Marlos, Shakhtar Donetsk

The Brazilian-born Ukrainian wizard can wreak havoc in off the right wing with his stronger left foot and provides a platform for his teammates to shine.

Luis Castro will hope Marlos’s geometric mind can help supply the bullets for Junior Moraes to fire the 2009 winners to the final.

The 32-year-old has 13 goals and six assists this term and can be expected to line up with Alan Patrick and Taison in support of Moraes.

Adept at timing his passes just right and cleverly waiting for opponents to commit themselves before dragging the ball back across himself as space opens up, Marlos will be one of the biggest threats for Antonio Conte’s Inter in the semi-finals. JR.

Marlos celebrates with Moraes vs Basel (POOL/AFP)

Ever Banega, Sevilla

These are the final embers of Ever Banega’s career in Europe, and perhaps the greatest shame of a gilded career is that the spark is still far from extinguished. The 32-year-old, who will join Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia at the end of the season, was slick and irresistible in Sevilla’s quarter-final victory over Wolves, cutting subtle passes through small openings, touching the ball more than any other player (140), and creating Lucas Ocampos’ last-gasp winner. Even as time weighs against him, Banega is still very much the kicking, artistic heartbeat of Julen Lopetegui’s side.

Capped 65 times by Argentina, with spells at Valencia, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, at times his talent has passed a little understated. But at his best, Banega can even bear comparisons to some of Europe’s most guile and graceful, and exits at a time where his powers are only beginning to wane. Manchester United will be intent on finding a way to suppress him in Sunday’s semi-final, but on Banega’s final swansong, a last taste of major silverware would certainly be fitting. TK.