Man United eased into the Europa League quarter-finals as Marcus Rashford secured a 1-0 and 5-1 aggregrate victory over Betis.
In the first half, Manchester United failed to gain control allowing the game to stretch. The side had a panicky start as they searched for an early goal to reduce the deficit aggregrate. This almost awarded Real Betis an early lead through Juanmi only for the forward to miss the target when through on goal.
David de Gea, who struggled in possession had to be alert as Joaquin’s long-range effort struck the post. The shot stopper was quick off his line to keep out Juanmi as United were caught out in behind again after half an hour.
Betis had the visitors on the ropes for most of the half but failed to take advantage.
Despite being second best in thr first period, United could have gone in 1-0 up at the break as Facundo Pellistri’s strike hit the post and bounced out in stoppage time. Striker Weghorst was following in and had he connected with the ball would have given United the lead.
Betis picked up where they left off but couldn’t improve in front of goal. United began to settle and nearly scored when Bruno Fernandes fed Rashford in the box, but the club’s top scorer could not find a way past Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva from close-range.
Wastefulness from Manuel Pelligrini’s side ensured United could weather the storm and progress. Rashford uncharacteristically spooned over when through on goal after a bobble took the ball away from him with only Silva to beat just two minutes later. He put a horrendous miss behind him to add the finishing touches to United’s win as they marched on in the Europa League in search of a second trophy this season.
The Spanish side went flat after Rashford’s goal extended United’s aggregate lead to four goals, but there was enough time for Juanmi to waste another good chance in the closing stages. United underperformed at the Benito Villamarin, but ultimately won the tie a week earlier at Old Trafford.
Consequently, Erik ten Hag was pleased with Pellistri on his first Man United start. He said after the match, “all the players did very well. The players that come in and can do a job and give good performances so we not only have 11 players. We have a squad. For Facundo, it is great to come in. He had some good comments and performances in training. But a game is different”.
“In the start he has to come in. But you saw after some minutes he got belief and had some really good actions, defending and doing his job. So I am really pleased with his performance”.