Match Review: Real Betis 0-1 Manchester United
Manchester United arrived in Seville with a healthy three goal cushion ahead of their second leg fixture with the La Liga outfit.
Facundo Pellistri got his first United start after showing promising glimpses in recent games. As too did Casemiro who begins his four game domestic ban, who incidentally, began tonights fixture with just one yellow card from missing the first fixture of the quarter finals.
United looked to play on the counter-attack early on, a style Erik ten Hag's side has done in devastating fashion this season, none more so than their last visit to Spain this season.
The ageless Joaquin, now 41-years-old, striked the post from far out before showing some neat footwork dancing through the United backline. The Spaniard has lost his electrifying speed & dribbling style but has clearly adapted to a number 10 role in which he can still play to a high level.
Right at the end of the first saw Manchester United see an effort of their own strike the upright as Wout Weghorst couldn't find that extra yard to tap in a rebound from Facundo Pellistri's half volley attempt.
The first half resembled that of American Football with continuous stop starts as the referee was trigger happy with his whistle. Both teams wracked up over sixteen fouls in the first half alone & the game became a scrappy affair at a high tempo.
United finally found the breakthrough on the 55' minute as Marcus Rashford did what he's done all season and found the back of the net. The Englishman hit a cracker with the outside of the boot from the edge of the area to score his twenty-seventh of the season & sixth of the tournament this season.
That goal also saw Rashford move up in the ranks as United's sixth all time scorer in European competitions.
United saw the game out rather comfortably in the end as the early Betis storm truly died down near the end of the tie.
Erik ten Hag's side will discover their quarter final opponents tomorrow at noon as the Manchester side chase yet another Europa League final.
Player Ratings
David De Gea - 7
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7
Harry Maguire - 6
Lisandro Martinez - 7
Tyrell Malacia - 7
Casemiro - 7
Fred - 6
Facundo Pellistri - 7
Bruno Fernandes - 6.5
Wout Weghorst - 6
Marcus Rashford - 7
Substitutes: Tom Heaton - N/A, Diogo Dalot - 6, Raphaël Varane - N/A, Luke Shaw - N/A, Marcel Sabitzer - 6, Victor Lindelof - 6, Scott McTominay - N/A, Jack Butland - N/A, Anthony Elanga - 5.5, Jadon Sancho - 6
Fan Reaction
Saw out a successful tie well tonight, good chance to rotate and rest a bit. Another good goal from Rashford and great to see Pellistri get a chance to start. Some good saves from De Gea in the first half, and another good night for Fred and also Wan-Bissaka I thought. #mufc
— Daniel Brown (@DanJBrownMUFC) March 16, 2023
Very shaky first half but we come back with a Rashford goal as usual. Better second half and we definitely needed to rest Rashford, Bruno and Martinez. Through to the quarters we go! Come on you reds!🔴#mufc
— jordan (@jardo007) March 16, 2023
Really good second half performance. Should’ve had more goals. How many times have we said that? Anyway job done. Easy passage into the QFs #mufc
— Kyle Quinn (@Kyle7Quinn) March 16, 2023
WHAT A GOAL take a bow Marcus Rashford #BETMUN #MUFC
— Wayne McNally (@Wadger22) March 16, 2023
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