Man Utd 4-1 Real Betis (Rashford 6′, Antony 52′, Fernandes 58′, Weghorst 83′ | Perez 32′)
OLD TRAFFORD — Manchester United bounced back from their Anfield mauling by putting one foot into the Europa League last eight on a night of redemption at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s decision to name an unchanged team following Sunday’s capitulation to Liverpool paid off as his shamed players returned to the form that has kept them in the hunt in four competitions this season.
Ten Hag hoped the club’s heaviest defeat since 1931 was a blip – albeit a massive one – rather than an indication that a highly-promising season was on the brink of collapse.
And goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst put them back on the winning track with a three-goal advantage to take into the second leg in Spain next Thursday.
Despite widespread criticism of Fernandes for his performance at Anfield, Ten Hag’s faith in keeping him as his captain paid off with the Portugal international producing a fine performance with a goal and an assist for Antony.
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United needed a positive and fast start and Weghorst had already had a “goal” disallowed for an offside against Fred when Rashford put them ahead after only six minutes.
The in-form striker launched a swift attack with a pass out to Fernandes whose cross was blocked by Luis Felipe but the loose ball was collected by Rashford who had time to sidestep the prostrate Felipe before rifling a shot past Claudio Bravo for his 26th goal of the season.
United wasted a number of chances to add a second. Weghorst sent a close range effort wide from Luke Shaw’s low cross and somehow spooned another chance over the bar from Antony’s cross although his embarrassment was spared somewhat by an offside flag.
Player ratings
Man Utd (4-2-3-1): De Gea 5; Dalot 5 (Wan-Bissaka 45, 6), Varane 7, Martinez 7, Shaw 7 (Malacia 65, 5); Casemiro 6, Fred 5 (McTominay 82); Antony 7 (Pellistri 82), Fernandes 8, Rashford 7 (Sancho 65, 6); Weghorst 6
Real Betis (4-2-3-1): Bravo 5; Sabaly 6, Pezzella 6, Felipe 5, Vinicius 6, Carvalho 6, Rodriguez 5 (Guardado 65, 5); Henrique 6 (Ruibal 59, 6), Joaquin 6 (Canales 59, 5), Juanmi 8 (Jose 80); A Perez 7 (Iglesias 65, 6)
Former City keeper Bravo twice denied Rashford, first racing off his line to beat him to a through pass and then diving low to his left to keep out a shot from the United striker that was heading for the far corner.
Casemiro hooked a shot high over the bar and Betis – who had enjoyed plenty of possession without creating a clear-cut chance – made United pay for their wastefulness when Perez scored a fine equaliser after 32 minutes.
United allowed the Leicester loanee too much space as he controlled a pass from Juanmi to strike a fine half-volley in off the far post.
After a poor clearance by De Gea, Perez went close to adding a second when his shot deflected off Shaw and onto the post.
But United regained control of the game with two goals in the first 13 minutes after the break.
The first came from a trademark Antony strike in the 52nd minute. He took a pass from Fernandes, cut inside Abner Vinicius before curling a superb left foot shot into the top corner.
What a strike from Antony!
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2023
Defenders know what he's going to do, but they just can't stop him#UEL pic.twitter.com/tB11PHzq90
Six minutes later Fernandes headed home Shaw’s corner although fingers were pointed at Bravo because although the effort was powerful it was straight at him.
United were full of confidence and had several chances to add to the scoreline before Weghorst made up for a string of misses by finally finding the net from close range. It was only his second goal since starting his loan spell from Burnley in January – and his first at Old Trafford.
Barring an unlikely repeat of their second half capitulation at Anfield, United should navigate the second leg in Seville and book their passage in the quarter-finals.
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