Manchester United are into the quarter-finals of the Europa League after a 1-0 win over Real Betis on Thursday night time added to the 4-1 mixture lead from final week at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford’s twenty seventh objective of the season within the second half made the distinction on the night time.
Knowing the uphill process that lay forward of them after the primary leg, Betis began like a group who genuinely believed they may pull off an mixture comeback. At the very least, that made it a way more entertaining sport over the course of the primary hour than most would have been anticipating even when any actual or incisive high quality from both facet was in brief provide.
Chances had been traded within the early phases, with Ayoze Perez seeing a shot blocked after Casemiro gave the ball away. Wout Weghorst was agonisingly near connecting with a diving header on the different finish.
Juanmi went on to fireside huge from an excellent place because the Betis strain continued as Joaquin’s deflected effort clipped the submit. At this stage, United appeared to be on the ropes and had been grateful {that a} lack of scientific ending was protecting the rating within the night time degree.
But as soon as it appeared the guests had weathered the opening storm, Betis had their finest likelihood when Juanmi went by means of. He was greeted by David de Gea speeding off his line to dam the shot, with the Betis ahead’s rebound header failing to hassle the goal.
United went closest of all on the stroke of half-time when the energetic and spectacular Facundo Pellistri despatched a shot goalward. Weghorst stretched for it however couldn’t attain and the ball rebounded off the submit as an alternative. That second characterised the way in which Ten Hag’s group would begin the second half, piling on their very own strain and Pellistri closely concerned.
Moments earlier than the eventual breakthrough, Rashford compelled a prime save out of Rui Silva, however there was no stopping his venomous strike quickly after. Sensing a chance 25 yards from objective, the United star intentionally hit the ball with energy with the skin of his proper foot to swerve it away from Silva’s attain and into the underside nook.
By then, Betis wanted 4 targets simply to drive extra-time and that realisation killed the combating spirit that they had proven earlier on. Jadon Sancho appeared decided to get on the score-sheet with out success, however United deserved credit score for taking management of the sport within the second half.
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GK: David de Gea – 7/10 – Made a extremely good save at 0-0. Had that gone in, it will fuelled the house facet’s power and talent to mount a comeback.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7/10 – Played with respectable power and had no difficulty striding into midfield.
CB: Harry Maguire (c) – 6/10 – Put underneath a little bit of strain till Rashford scored however got here by means of it.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – 7/10 – Top distribution and did what he wanted to defensively.
LB: Tyrell Malacia – 7/10 – Got ahead in assist of Rashford loads of occasions.
CM: Casemiro – 7/10 – Walking a tightrope given he was just one yellow card away from a suspension and it appeared to indicate in his defensive efficiency. Good on the ball although.
CM: Bruno Fernandes – 6/10 – Another who was susceptible to suspension and was taken off halfway by means of the second half. Still inventive.
RM: Facundo Pellistri – 8/10 – Rewarded for his promising cameo final time with a begin right here and took it with each palms. Exciting to look at on the ball.
AM: Fred – 5/10 – Played a bit additional ahead than regular. Limited impression.
LM: Marcus Rashford – 8/10 – Looked a risk all through. Scored a wonderful objective to interrupt the impasse on the night time and was taken off early with the job accomplished.
ST: Wout Weghorst – 5/10 – Another night time of exhausting work with out issues ever fairly falling for him.
Substitutes
SUB: Jadon Sancho (60′ for Rashford) – 7/10
SUB: Marcel Sabitzer (61′ for Fred) – 6/10
SUB: Anthony Elanga (68′ for Fernandes) – 5/10
SUB: Diogo Dalot (75′ for Wan-Bissaka) – 6/10
SUB: Victor Lindelof (75′ for Martinez – 6/10
Manager
Erik ten Hag – 8/10 – Went with a robust group however , presumably with a watch on video games to come back, began making modifications as quickly as United had prolonged the mixture lead.
Player of the match – Marcus Rashford (Man Utd)
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