With memories of their Anfield thrashing still fresh in their minds, Manchester United return to Europa League action on Thursday night when Real Betis visit Old Trafford for the opening leg of their last-16 encounter.
The highs of finally ending a six-year trophy drought and eliminating Barcelona from European competition faded into insignificance for Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, as a mortified Erik ten Hag watched the Red Devils suffer their worst Premier League defeat at the hands of a merciless Liverpool.
Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, and Darwin Nunez all scored braces with a Roberto Firmino effort in a demolition job that ended the Red Devils’ 11-game undefeated run while eliciting equal parts ecstasy and irritation from commentators, fans, and players.
With 14 points to make up on leaders Arsenal – who have played one more game – some have already ruled Man United out of the Premier League championship chase, but their podium placement is safe for the time being as they seek an instant reaction in continental competition.
Man United had to do it the hard way after finishing second to Real Sociedad in the group stage, but a richly deserved 2-1 second-leg win over Barcelona propelled the Red Devils into the last 16 at the expense of the Catalans, and the hosts had not lost the first leg of a European knockout tie at home since March 2012.
Before to being annihilated by Liverpool, Man United had scored at least twice in 12 consecutive games in all competitions – their multiple-goal streak at Old Trafford is an even better 14 games – and Ten Hag’s team can climb right back into the fans’ good graces with a 20th undefeated match in a row tonight.
A familiar figure returns to the opposing dugout in the form of ex-Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who may anticipate a harsh greeting as he emerges from the Old Trafford tunnel.
After three consecutive victories against Almeria, Real Valladolid, and Elche, in which Betis scored eight goals while conceding five, Pellegrini’s team held reigning Spanish and European champions Real Madrid to a goalless draw over the weekend, despite having just 38% possession.
The Verdiblancos had a near-perfect Europa League group stage, winning five games and drawing one, only surrendering points in a 1-1 home tie with Roma. Betis have never advanced beyond the last-16 of the Europa League in its current format, losing to eventual champions Eintracht Frankfurt at this point last season, but Pellegrini’s side come to Old Trafford having won eight of their past 12 away games in all competitions.
The first leg on Thursday will be Man United and Real Betis’ first competitive encounter in any tournament, but the Verdiblancos have only one win from their previous six games against English opponents, and the injured Red Devils should not be easy pickings at their fortress.
Team News- Manchester United
The Brazilian will be evaluated before start, along with Victor Lindelof, who missed Sunday’s defeat with an unclear injury, while Ten Hag refuses to give a timetable on Anthony Martial’s comeback as he fights a hip ailment.
After such a humiliating evening against Liverpool, a refresh should be in order, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, and Tyrell Malacia potentially moving into the backline, especially with Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane surfacing as doubts before the start at the weekend.
Team News- Real Betis
However, Betis manager Pellegrini recently received a devastating blow when important striker Nabil Fekir, who was recently linked with Manchester United, was ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Midfielder Juan Cruz is also slated to miss out after aggravating an existing muscle injury, although on the plus side, Sergio Canales exercised on Monday after missing the tie with Real Madrid due to a quadriceps complaint.
Claudio Bravo, German Pezzella, Luiz Felipe, and Aitor Ruibal of Real Betis are all on a tightrope here, as if they get warned at Old Trafford, they will miss the second leg.
Predictions-
Manchester United 3-1 Real Betis
