Manchester United took a big step towards the last eight of the Europa League, goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst giving them a 4-1 win over Real Betis before next week’s second leg in Spain.
After the weekend horror of a 7-0 defeat at Anfield, they’ll be well pleased with their midweek endeavours.
Eager to put their Anfield capitulation behind them, United started well, and quickly went in front, Marcus Rashford leathering a tremendous rising finish high into the net after skipping around a grounded defender.
But they were unable to force a second and Betis gradually eased themselves into the game, scoring a lovely equaliser through Ayoze Perez, on loan from Leicester.
After the break, though, United stomped onto the gas, Antony scoring his goal with an glorious finish on 52 minutes, then on 58, Bruno Fernandes met Luke Shaw’s corner with a thunderous header, taking United to the cusp of the quarter-finals.
Wout Weghorst’s finish from close range on 83 minutes for United’s fourth, may well have put the tie beyond Betis.
TALKING POINT – Wan-Bissaka proving his worth
Erik ten Hag did not take long to decide he had no use for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. But no club offered a sum they were prepared to take, so he stayed at Old Trafford as understudy to Diogo Dalot.
Dalot started the season well enough without ever looking like he might get as good as he’ll have to if he’s to retain the shirt past the summer. But when Wan-Bissaka returned from injury after the World Cup, he immediately played well, and is still doing so 10 weeks later.
Though he still lacks finesse on the ball, he carries it well, and Ten Hag’s insistence on him playing high and wide or moving into midfield, allows him to fully utilise that attribute.
And, though he is still prone to losing men at the back post, he is a better defender than Dalot, especially one-on-one. The time has come for him to be given a run of starts.
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MAN OF THE MATCH – Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Playing in the middle, he was involved in so much of United’s good play, assisting one goal and scoring one himself. A top player and competitor.
