Manchester United thrash Betis in Europa League - Legit Sports
Manchester United thrash Betis in Europa League - Legit Sports
Manchester United responded to their Anfield humiliation in the best manner possible as they overwhelmed Real Betis at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst were all on the scoresheet as United put themselves in a strong position to reach the last eight when the tie is decided in Seville next week.
No-one will claim one win alone will banish the memory of Sunday's record 7-0 annihilation by rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.
However, the backing manager Erik ten Hag and his players received from the home supporters suggested recrimination from the stands will not be long lasting.
And Fernandes, condemned by many critics for his display at the weekend, had the satisfaction of not only keeping the captain's armband but heading home Luke Shaw's corner from close range after 58 minutes.
The Portuguese ran away to celebrate with his hands to his ears as the United fans chanted 'Bruno, Bruno' in his honour.
In his programme notes, Ten Hag described the Anfield debacle as 'unacceptable' and said he had left his players in no doubt such performances would not be tolerated.
And, in a move that smacked of the Dutchman applying collective responsibility for the loss rather than singling out individuals for blame, he named an unchanged line-up.
For half an hour, all went well.
The hosts dominated as Rashford drove home his 26th goal of a magnificent season in the sixth minute after Fernandes' cross had been diverted into his path.
Further chances were created - the issue was none of them went in.
Former Manchester City keeper Claudio Bravo twice denied Rashford, Fernandes had a shot blocked and Weghorst's near-post effort was deflected wide even though he didn't get a corner.
Betis' form in La Liga, where they are fifth, suggested they were not as poor as it appeared and Ayoze Perez proved it when he drilled home a low shot from the angle of the penalty area.
Had the on-loan Leicester City forward got a second after he was set up by Juanmi - gifted possession by David de Gea, who rolled a pass straight to him from inside his six-yard box - anxiety might have spread through home ranks.
As it was, Perez's deflected shot bounced back off a post and United survived - although question marks remain over keeper De Gea, whose contract expires in the summer.
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