Manchester United bounced back from their thrashing at the hands of Liverpool as they produced one of the comprehensive football results of the midweek action in the Europa League. United struggled at times against La Liga’s fifth-placed side and was fortunate to be level at the break as Ayoze Perez, who had already cancelled out Rashford’s opening, struck the post with David De Gea beaten. However, as Antony’s curling attempt regained their lead, they blew Betis away. Fernandes’ thunderous header from a corner was too much for Claudio Bravo to handle, and Wout Weghorst added a fourth after excellent work from substitute Facundo Pallestri. Both Antony and Weghorst missed excellent chances to extend United’s lead, but Erik ten Hag’s side will still fly to Spain next Thursday in first place for the Europa League quarter-finals.
Ten Hag named the same lineup that began at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. This was the club that had gotten United into this situation, and this was the team who would get them out of it. They definitely got off to a flying start as Marcus Rashford sidestepped his man and slammed in an opener past Bravo with less than six minutes gone, as United looked to blow Betis away right away. But there were still chinks in the hosts’ confidence armour. Around the half-hour mark, Leicester loanee Perez sent a low effort across De Gea and inside the far post to surprise Old Trafford, and United battled to regain momentum before the break.
Instead, Betis appeared to be the more likely to score, with some jittery defence compounding De Gea’s erratic passing. Before halftime, the two linked up to allow Perez to wriggle a cross into the six-yard box that rebounded off Raphael Varane and away off the post to safety. Whatever Ten Hag said at halftime worked to restore his team’s confidence, and seven minutes into the second period, they were back in front.
Antony had had a rough evening up to that moment against Abner Vinicius, but a drop of the shoulder gave him space inside the European debutant, and from 20 yards he bent a lovely curling attempt past the motionless Bravo. The relief in the air around Old Trafford was almost tangible. That quickly converted to pure joy as Fernandes hammered home Luke Shaw’s whipped corner, even if Bravo should have deflected it over his crossbar to safety. With confidence coursing through their veins, the hosts looked for a fourth. Antony’s selfish chip upset his teammates, with Fred and Weghorst better situated for a tap-in, while the huge Dutchman squandered a wonderful opportunity to add his name to the scoresheet.
He did, however, score his first goal for Manchester United in the dying minutes at Old Trafford, and he owed a lot to youthful substitute Pellestri. His fast feet from a corner allowed him to cross for Scott McTominay, whose shot rebounded into the path of Weghorst, who buried the ball with ease. Whilst Ten Hag will argue that United still have work to do in Spain next week, the United manager will be thrilled with his team’s response and certain that they will be included in the draw for the Europa League quarter-finals.
“We played a very solid game in both halves and could have been up 3-0 by halftime. But suddenly it’s 1-1; one error, and we’re punished. But I think we played well, particularly in the second half,” Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag said. “[Overall] 4-1, good goals, good play, and something for the supporters. They also give us something in return for their support, for which we are quite grateful following Sunday.”
“We were on the front foot from the start, we were good on the ball, and we found spare players in midfield. They made good substitutions, ran well behind, and created numerous opportunities. Today is a good day for me,” he added. “It’s always how a team responds after a setback – you’ve seen it before, and it’s not the first time this season. We’ve already reset and bounced back five or six times. This team has personality, which is a credit to the team.”
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