Real Betis 0-1 Manchester United: Marcus Rashford nets as Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils book quarter-final spot
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Updated 16/03/2023 at 20:14 GMT
Any thoughts of a cruise in the warmer climes of Spain were swiftly dismissed as Real Betis came out of the blocks at the rate of knots against Manchester United. The Red Devils rode their luck early on at Estadio Benito Villamarin but weathered the storm to progress to the last eight of the Europa League courtesy of a Marcus Rashford goal and their 4-1 win in the first leg.
Marcus Rashford celebrates during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Real Betis and Manchester United at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 16, 2023 in Seville, Spain
Image credit: Getty Images
Manchester United booked their spot in the Europa League quarter-finals, easing through 5-1 on aggregate against Real Betis after a stunning Marcus Rashford strike proved the difference in the second leg.
Erik ten Hag set out his intentions from the get-go, naming a strong starting line-up despite bringing a 4-1 first-leg victory to the Benito Villamarin Stadium.
But The Red Devils were made to work for their place in the last eight, particularly in the first half. Real Betis started by far the better side and nearly opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Juanmi was played through on David De Gea.
The Spanish forward dragged his effort wide of the mark, but the hosts kept coming and went even closer two minutes later when Joaquin’s long-range effort clipped the outside of the post.
It was end-to-end stuff in the opening period, with De Gea called into action again in the 32nd minute to deny Juanmi and keep the game level.
United did weather the storm slightly and could have gone in at the break ahead after Facundo Pellistri hit the post in added time, with the rebound somehow evading Wout Weghorst.
The second period began the same way as the first, with the hosts on the front foot, but Rashford extinguished any lingering hopes the Spanish side had with a magnificent strike from outside the box in the 56th minute to settle the tie once and for all.
From there, United saw out the tie pretty comfortably and Ten Hag will be pleased to see his side come through unscathed.
The draw for the Europa League quarter-finals will be made on Friday at around 12:00 GMT.
Talking Point - Rashford delivers again to eclipse Ronaldo
Rashford was once again the difference-maker for Manchester United. It wasn’t his finest performance but he still got on the scoresheet, putting any lingering doubts to bed with his 27th goal of the season in all competitions - with his goal moving him above Cristiano Ronaldo on United's list of all-time scorers in Europe.
And it was a strike worthy of settling any tie. Having just spurned two gilt-edged chances, the Englishman found himself in acres of space outside the Real Betis area and unleashed an unstoppable out-swinger into the bottom corner and out of the clutches of Rui Silva.
Should United want to add to their Carabao Cup success, his scoring prowess will be crucial. And his goals have consigned Ronaldo's second spell at the club to the memory banks.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
No surprises here. The forward responded from missing a couple of easy chances to decide the match emphatically and remind everyone of his big-game credentials.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Betis: Silva (9), Sabaly (7), Pezzella (7), Gonzalez (6), da Silva Santos (5), Rodriguez (6), Carvalho (7), Ruibal (7), Juaquin (7), Juanmi (7), Perez (6)
Man Utd: De Gea (8), Wan-Bissaka (7), Maguire (6), Martinez (7), Malacia (6), Casemiro (7), Fred (7), Pellistri (8), Fernandes (7), Rashford (8), Weghorst (6)
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
9' - HOW'S HE MISSED? Straight up the other end, it should be 1-0 Betis. Wan-Bissaka gives the ball away and the hosts launch into a counter-attack. Juanmi is played through one-on-one with De Gea but drags his shot wide of the far post.
11' OFF THE POST: It's end-to-end stuff so far. Again, it's Real Betis who go so close to opening the scoring as Joaquin's curling effort from outside the box clips the outside of the post.
32' WHAT A SAVE: The hosts have been quiet after the early onslaught but once again nearly broke the deadlock. A brilliant ball sets Juanmi through but De Gea stands up well to block the shot before United clear.
45+1' UNITED HIT THE POST: Fernandes picks out Weghorst with a crossfield ball before United win a corner. It's the last chance of the half and it nearly results in a goal as Pellistri's effort hits the post and just evades Weghorst on the rebound.
53' BRILLIANT SAVE: United hit Betis on the counter and look certain to score. Pellistri shows his strength before finding Fernandes who feeds Rashford bearing down on goal. Silva does brilliantly to get down well to thwart the Englishman.
54' DE GEA CALLED INTO ACTION: Straight up the other end, it's De Gea's turn to bail his side out. A Betis corner is met superbly by Perez, whose header is parried well by the Spanish shot-stopper.
56' GOAL! RASHFORD BREAKS THE DEADLOCK: What a game this has been. Just after missing an absolute sitter, Rashford finds himself in space outside the Betis box and unleashes an effort that finds the bottom corner and leaves Rui Silva helpless. It's probably against the run of play but United lead 1-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.
KEY STATS
- Manchester United have never been eliminated at the last-16 stage in the Europa League after winning the first leg.
- Real Betis have now only won one of their last eight home games
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