Man United cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory over La Liga side Real Betis in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini insisted his side would not give up in their Europa League tie with Manchester United, despite losing 4-1 in the first leg.
United secured a convincing victory over the La Liga side at Old Trafford on Thursday night, with Erik ten Hag’s side taking a commanding lead in the last-16 tie. Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst were all on target for the home side, with Leicester City loanee Ayoze Perez scoring for Betis..…CONTINUE READING
It was an important victory for Ten Hag’s men after a disappointing result at the weekend. United were thrashed 7-0 in the Premier League by rivals Liverpool, but they responded well against the Spanish outfit and returned to winning ways at the first possible opportunity.
The Reds will be confident about progressing to the quarter-finals of the Europa League and will have the advantage in the clash when the two sides meet again next week. Despite this, Betis boss Pellegrini was adamant that his side would not give up despite their deficit heading into the second leg.
“We’re going to try, let there be no doubt about it,” he told AS.
He added: “[It was] a great goal from Antony and another from a corner ended the game. Manchester United played with the confidence of having many goals ahead and from then until the end of the game they were far superior to us. There could be some more goals even.
“They got a very important difference and it was decided in five minutes.”
United had 25 shots in the match, compared to Betis’ six – with only two of those actually coming on target. The home side were worthy winners and Ten Hag was pleased with the support from the Reds fans just four days on from the shellacking by Liverpool.
“I was curious about that and I was pleased by the response from the crowd to the team,” Ten Hag said. “They were from minute one, behind the team, the team gave energy by the performance and they gave it back.
“Once again, there is a great bond between the team and the fans and we are pleased by that.”
United take on Southampton in the Premier League at the weekend, before travelling to the Benito Villamarin Stadium for the second leg with Betis next Thursday.
