MANCHESTER UNITED recovered in stunning fashion from their Liverpool thrashing to defeat Real Betis 4-1 in the Europa League.
Marcus Rashford gave unchanged United a dream start with a sixth-minute strike before Leicester City loanee Ayoze Perez equalised with a powerful effort.
Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst then added second half goals as United ran riot.
Though there was ugly scenes at the final whistle as Betis fans clashed with riot police in Old Trafford.
- Result: Man Utd 4 Real Betis 1
- Man Utd XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
- Real Betis XI: Bravo; Sabaly, Pezzella, Luiz Felipe, Vinicius; Carvalho, Rodriguez; Luis Henrique, Joaquin, Juanmi; Perez
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That’s all from Manchester!
Manchester United destroyed Real Betis 4-1 at Old Trafford and made a strong claim for the Europa League quarter-finals.
United opened the scoring after just six minutes when German Pezzella’s weak block set Marcus Rashford up from close range and he beat Claudio Bravo with a powerful finish.
Betis equalised on 32 minutes when Juanmi crossed to Ayoze Perez and the Leicester loanee beat David de Gea with a fine shot from the right.
However, the Red Devils dominated the second half and regained the lead with a screamer by Antony on 52 minutes.
United skipper Bruno Fernandes made it three just six minutes later with a fine header after Luke Shaw’s corner.
And Wout Weghorst completed the hosts’ triumph from close range just eight minutes before the whistle.
That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a great night!
Credit: AFP Ten Hag praises Fernandes
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praised Bruno Fernandes’ performance against Real Betis.
The Dutch tactician, who played the same team that was thrashed by Liverpool, described Fernandes’ display as “brilliant”.
Ten Hag told BT Sport: “Bruno, I think he was brilliant today.
“He led the team from the first minute by his game, his possession made the rhythm of the game and then scored a goal. So I’m happy.”
Credit: Getty More from Rashford
Rashford added: “It’s always important to win the next fixture to bounce back and try and continue the momentum we had before that game.
“I’m pleased we managed to win the game and it’s put us in a good way in the tie.
“We always try and start quick and a goal always helps that. They defended the box quite well in the first half, in the second half it opened up a bit more as expected with the game being at 1-1.
“We started well in both halves. It’s always important to try and score the goals and in the end, that’s the difference.”
Credit: Getty
Ugly scenes emerge
Real Betis fans reportedly fought with police as ugly scenes marred the end of Manchester United’s 4-1 Europe League triumph.
A section of the away end appeared to try and break into the home stand by climbing over the barrier, five minutes before the end of the Last-16 clash.
The authorities were quick to intervene amid reports seats were being pulled up and thrown by some fans.
Footage showed the riot police standing guard on the Betis end and holding fans back, while scuffles broke out.
Credit: Getty Marcus Rashford reacts
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford described the dominant victory over Real Betis as a “step back in the right direction”.
The striker also insists United shouldn’t put too much emphasis on Sunday’s thrashing to rivals Liverpool.
Rashford told BT Sport: “It is a step back in the right direction.
“We have to build on it now again but we can’t put too much emphasis on Sunday because it is gone and we can’t change it so we have to keep moving forward.”
Credit: Alamy A real leader’s performance
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes issued a resounding response to his critics with a stunning performance.
Fernandes disappointed against Liverpool so much that some called for him to be stripped of the armband.
But the playmaker participated in three out of United’s four goals against Real Betis.
The Portugal international scored the third, delivered the pass that set Marcus Rashford up before German Pezzella’s weak block and provided the assist for Antony.
And as the heat map shows, the 28-year-old was very influential on the pitch.
What’s next?
Manchester United have made a strong claim for the Europa League quarter-finals.
But Real Betis can’t be underestimated ahead of the return fixture with United.
The Red Devils will travel to Spain next Thursday to face Manuel Pellegrini’s side at the Benito Villamarin.
Betis need at least three goals to equal the tie as the away-goals rule doesn’t apply this season
Credit: PA Man Utd vs Real Betis stats
Manchester United dominated 57 per cent of possession against Real Betis.
United registered a whopping 25 shots, 13 of which were on target.
Betis, on the other hand, only registered six shots, but only two of them were on target.
More below:
FT: Man Utd 4-1 Real Betis
Manchester United beat Real Betis 4-1 at Old Trafford and made a strong claim for the Europa League quarter-finals.
United opened the scoring after just six minutes when Bruno Fernandes delivered a low ball from the right and German Pezzella tried to block it but his effort was very weak and he fell to the ground.
That set up Marcus Rashford from close range and he beat Claudio Bravo with a powerful finish.
Betis equalised on 32 minutes when Juanmi crossed to Ayoze Perez and the ex-Newcastle as well as Leicester ace beat David de Gea with a fine shot from the right.
However, the Red Devils dominated the second half and regained the lead with a wonderstrike by Antony on 52 minutes.
United captain Bruno Fernandes made it three just six minutes later with a fine header after Luke Shaw’s corner.
And Wout Weghorst completed the hosts’ triumph from close range just eight minutes before full-time
Credit: AFP
FT: Man Utd 4-1 Real Betis
Peep!
That’s full-time in Manchester!!!
90+1 Man Utd 4-1 Real Betis
Chance
United ace Martinez tries a volley after Fernandes’ corner but sends it wide
90 Man Utd 4-1 Real Betis
Four more minutes of added time to go.
Do United have one more left…?
85 Man Utd 4-1 Real Betis
United can feel like they are practically through to the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Red Devils would probably be getting ahead of themselves, but how much did they need a decisive win like that…?
Credit: Reuters 82 Man Utd 4-1 Real Betis
Weghorst finally gets his goal and celebrates it passionately.
Pellistri gets a ball through from the right and McTominay shoots but Bravo saves.
Weghorst gets the rebound and he doesn’t miss this time.
82 Man Utd 4-1 Real Betis
Goal!
Weghorst finally scores for United!!!
82 Man Utd 3-1 Real Betis
Substitution
United boss Ten Hag makes a double chance as McTominay and Pellistri come on for Fred and Antony respectively
80 Man Utd 3-1 Real Betis
Just 10 more minutes to go at Old Trafford.
United have been absolutely dominant against Betis
79 Man Utd 3-1 Real Betis
Chance!
Antony could have scored a hat-trick by now…
This time the winger is played through by Weghorst but his shot down the right is denied by Bravo
78 Man Utd 3-1 Real Betis
It’s obvious Ten Hag took Rashford and Shaw off earlier to save them for the Premier League.
An impressive performance by United so far to exorcise the demons from Anfield
76 Man Utd 3-1 Real Betis
Chance!
Another major miss by Weghorst who has the chance to kill the game from close range.
But the striker’s shot is blocked by Felipe and the ball bounces to Bravo
75 Man Utd 3-1 Real Betis
Betis are slowly gaining ground but can’t create threats.
Pellegrini’s side want to make sure they don’t concede any more goals and are looking to see if they can reduce the deficit ahead of the return fixture.
73 Man Utd 3-1 Real Betis
Chance
Another long-range shot for United, this time by Antony, but it is too weak
71 Man Utd 3-1 Real Betis
Chance
United star Casemiro tries a long-range shot that probably didn’t even end up in the crowd – way over the bar
70 Man Utd 3-1 Real Betis
United are playing with so much confidence but want more goals ahead of the return fixture.
Betis, on the other hand, are on damage control
68 Man Utd 3-1 Real Betis
Yellow card
United star Fernandes is booked after a collision with Betis keeper Bravo.
The captain tries to pick up a weak pass from the defenders and his side foot hits the keeper’s shin.
The playmaker is fortunate there, could have been a red.
Bravo is also fortunate that he wasn’t hit with the studs
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
