Manchester United vs Real Betis LIVE: Red Devils must respond to ...

8 Mar 2023

Manchester United will be aiming to bounce back from their embarrassing 7-0 defeat to Liverpool as they return to action in the Europa League.

The Red Devils’ humiliation against their rivals has the potential to derail their brilliant turnaround this season, so returning to winning ways against Real Betis on Thursday is of paramount importance. 

Man United were embarrassed by Liverpool at Anfield last weekend

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Man United were embarrassed by Liverpool at Anfield last weekend

Erik ten Hag’s side knocked out Barcelona over two legs in the play-off round to secure their place in the Europa League round of 16.

And they now come up against another Spanish team in Betis who are managed by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Pellegrini led his side to an unbeaten group stage campaign and has Los Verdiblancos in fifth place in La Liga this season.

Manchester United vs Real Betis: How to follow

This Europa League round of 16 first leg clash will take place on Thursday, March 9. 

Kick-off at Old Trafford is scheduled for 8pm. 

The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2 with coverage beginning at 7:15pm.

talkSPORT will have updates of all the action in Europe this week. 

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Betis sit fifth in La Liga and went unbeaten in the Europa League group stage

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Betis sit fifth in La Liga and went unbeaten in the Europa League group stage

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Manchester United vs Real Betis: Team news

Ten Hag may choose to make wholesale changes on Thursday night after his side’s embarrassing performance at the weekend. 

The United boss could be without Victor Lindelof once again after he missed that defeat through a slight issue while Casemiro looked uncomfortable during the game. 

Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia could all be called up at Old Trafford while Marcel Sabizter may be preferred in midfield. 

As for Betis, star man Nabil Fekir is out for the season after picking up an ACL injury while left back Juan Cruz is expected to miss out. 

However, Pellegrini could be boosted by the return of Sergio Canales after he took part in training after recovering from a knock. 

Manchester United vs Real Betis: What has been said?

After the round of 16 draw was made, Man United manager ten Hag looked ahead to the clash. 

He said: “We played them in the pre-season after the winter break, and you know what you get from Spanish football. It is a playing team, a skilful team, so we will have to play our best. 

“We also played Real Sociedad this season and so we know, only when you play your best, you have a chance to survive and to get into the next round.

“So, we will go deeper when we face them.”

Ten Hag could make plenty of changes to his side this week

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Ten Hag could make plenty of changes to his side this week Manchester United vs Real Betis: Match facts  Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has managed against Manchester United four times previously in European competition – all four games ended goalless in the group stages of the Champions League in 2005-06 and 2008-09 when he was Villarreal manager. Those goalless draws account for 11% of Manchester United’s total 0-0 draws in major European competition ever (4/37).Real Betis have won just one of their last seven knockout matches in the UEFA Europa League (D3 L3), a 3-2 victory against Zenit St Petersburg in February 2022. Their three knockout wins in the competition, however, have all come away from home (vs Rubin Kazan and Sevilla in 2014 & Zenit in 2022).Manchester United haven’t lost the first leg of any of their last eight European knockout ties (W4 D4). When their first leg has been at home in a UEFA Cup/Europa League knockout tie, the Red Devils have lost just one of 11 matches (W5 D5), losing 3-2 against Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Club in March 2012, just over 11 years to the day of the date their game against Real Betis will be played.Real Betis have lost four of their previous six European games against English opponents (W1 D1), with this their first such game since November 2005 when they drew 0-0 with Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.This is the first ever meeting between Manchester United and Real Betis in any competition, with the Andalusian side the 12th different Spanish side the Red Devils have faced in major European competition – the most from a single nation.

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