📰 Table Of Contents
Match report
Manchester United booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday evening, courtesy of a comfortable two-legged downing of La Liga outfit Real Betis.
Erik ten Hag’s troops were of course back in action a short time ago.
After making short work of Betis to the tune of a 4-1 first-leg triumph this day last week, the Red Devils made the trip to the Benito Villamarin, hopeful of another comfortable night’s work.
And though they were forced to deal with a few scares along the way, in the end, once more, United managed to get the job done.
It should come as little surprise to hear that it was Marcus Rashford who proved himself difference-maker on the night, notching what ultimately proved to be the winner ten minutes into the 2nd-half.
After being picked out in his customary berth on the left flank, United’s in-form frontman cut inside, before driving a wonderful effort from range into the far bottom corner:
What. A. Hit!! 🤩
Marcus Rashford is in some serious form this season!! 🙌#UEL pic.twitter.com/5b4hEZ76id
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 16, 2023
Player ratings
Real Betis
Rui Silva – 5.5
Youssouf Sabaly – 6.5
German Pezzella – 6
Edgar Gonzalez – 6
Abner Vinicius – 5
Guido Rodriguez – 5.5
William Carvalho – 5.5
Aitor Ruibal – 6
Joaquin – 6
Juanmi – 6.5
Ayoze Perez – 4.5
Substitutes – Juan Miranda – 4.5, Willian Jose – 5, Borja Iglesias – 5, Sergio Canales – 5.5, Andres Guardado – 6
Manchester United
David de Gea – 6.5
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 5.5
Harry Maguire – 7.5
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Tyrell Malacia – 6
Casemiro – 7.5
Fred – 6
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Facundo Pellistri – 6.5
Marcus Rashford – 7
Wout Weghorst – 5
Substitutes: Jadon Sancho – 6.5, Marcel Sabitzer – 6, Anthony Elanga – 5.5, Diogo Dalot – N/A, Victor Lindelof – N/A
Fan reaction
Let’s be honest since we won the league cup we have low-key been poor.
— Harry 🇬🇧💫 (@utdHarryy) March 16, 2023
Spot on. Ten hag needs to rest some players, bruno and rashford have not been good since the final
— rocky 🇸🇪🗽 (@utdrocky) March 16, 2023
In the very few opportunities he’s been given, this is the best Harry Maguire has been this season, He’s had a really solid half here.
— Al Foran (@ImpressionistAL) March 16, 2023
The players trying to get Weghorst to scorepic.twitter.com/LgEWLFBHlh
— Deng. (@UTDDengv2) March 16, 2023
This Rashford stinker is one for the ages
— V🇦🇺 (@vpxcked) March 16, 2023
Joaquin is some kind of player even at his age. Kind of reminds me of that savviness’ Giggs had toward the end of his career.
— Sarah Horrocks📗👑🔩 (@mercurialblonde) March 16, 2023
We look much brighter in the second half
— United Agenda (@Utd__Agenda) March 16, 2023
I thought I’d escaped the wrath of Ayoze Perez doing my head in but here we are just 6 weeks later.
— DT (@1884DT) March 16, 2023
Ten hag please take off casemiro, I think I might cry if he gets a yellow from his weekly unnecessary two footer
— not demp🇮🇪 (@UTDempsey) March 16, 2023
Marcus Rashford. Had to be. Ruthless. That’s 30 for the season for club and country (48 games).
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) March 16, 2023
Erik ten Hag transformed Marcus Rashford from the worst form of his career to being one of the best in the world.
Incredible management.🤩 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/ejkVjlain9
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) March 16, 2023
Through to the Quarter Finals of the Europa League. No additional injuries. No yellow card and suspensions. That’ll do.
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) March 16, 2023
Stat roundup
Manchester United failed to have a shot on target in the first half for the first time all season 🤯😬
They still have one foot in the quarters heading into this second half 💪 pic.twitter.com/rMB42XDWVQ
— LiveScore (@livescore) March 16, 2023
Facundo Pellistri’s first half by numbers vs. Real Betis:
86% pass accuracy
25 touches
2 dribbles
2 ground duels won
1 cross completed
1 tackle won
1 shot off the woodworkCame the closest. 🤏 pic.twitter.com/o8ryW9Ing4
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 16, 2023
Juanmi had as many shots (4-4) and more shots on target (1-0) than the entire Manchester United side combined in the first half. #UEL pic.twitter.com/YdFvbrSu1y
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 16, 2023
Marcus Rashford in the Europa League this season:
👕 8 appearances
⚽ 6 goals
🅰️ 2 assistsRocket. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/VOgZStinO7
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 16, 2023
Bruno Fernandes’ game by numbers vs Betis:
82.5% passing accuracy
69 touches
7 crosses
6x possession won
6 duels won
4 chances created
2 tackles mad
2 shots— Squawka (@Squawka) March 16, 2023
Casemiro’s game by numbers vs. Real Betis:
106 touches
100% dribbles completed
9 ground duels won
7 long balls completed
4 key passes
4 tackles won
2 blocks
2 aerial duels won
2 interceptions
1 clearance
1 assist
0 foulsMustard. 💎 pic.twitter.com/m8NsONL6vp
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 16, 2023
Manchester United have now reached the quarter-final stage in each of their last four Europa League campaigns:
◎ 2016/17: 🏆
◎ 2019/20: SF
◎ 2020/21: 🥈
◉ 2022/23:❓How far will they go this time? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ei9S4sNu3F
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 16, 2023
Arsenal vs Sporting live stream: How to watch Europa League last 16 first leg online
