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Rashford opened the scoring as Manchester United bounced back from the defeat against Liverpool with a comprehensive victory over Real Betis.
Manchester United have one foot in the quarter-final of the Europa League after they thrashed Real Betis 4-1 in the first leg of their round of 16 encounter at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Werghorst ensured Ayoze Perez’s equaliser was a mere consolation.
Real Betis peg back Manchester United
United went into the game knowing they needed a positive response after they suffered a 7-0 humiliation against Liverpool in the Premier League last Sunday.
Despite the embarrassment, the Red Devils’ manager Erik Ten Hag stuck with the same side that started against Liverpool.
The decision proved to be spot on as United took the lead inside six minutes as Marcus Rashford fired into the roof of the net after Germain Pezzella’s attempt to stop Bruno Fernandes pass fell into this path.
Ten Hag’s men almost doubled their lead moments later but were wasteful in front of goal. They paid for the missed chances as Betis restored parity against the run of play.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men drew level two minutes after the half-hour mark, courtesy of a strike from Ayoze Perez.
The ex-Leicester City fired a low shot past David de Gea after Juanmi’s ball fell into his path. Betis took belief from the equaliser and almost took the lead after Joaquin’s deflected cross came off the post.
It was a big let-off for Man Utd as they went into the break with the scores tied.
Second half dominance from Manchester United
Nonetheless, the home side resumed the second half with more urgency and purpose as they searched for the lead again.
The approach did work as Antony’s brilliant curler from outside the box put United in front again in the 52nd minute.
From that moment on, it was all United, with Betis’ defence struggling to cope with their attacking play.
The Red Devils extended their lead in the 58th minute through Bruno Fernandes, who headed home from a Luke Shaw cross.
Despite having a two-goal lead, the home side kept on attacking, but were denied on many occassions by Claudio Bravo.
However, the Chilean goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Weghorst, who slotted home a rebound to score United’s fourth and give them a commanding lead going into the second half.
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