[ad_1]
Manchester United cruised into the Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-1 aggregate win over Real Betis after Marcus Rashford’s 27th goal of the season sealed a 1-0 victory in Spain.
Rashford broke the deadlock just shy of the hour with a stunning strike from several to kill off the tie and end Betis’ hopes of a miraculous comeback. The Spanish team looks more dangerous so far.
United lost control in the first half, allowing the game to falter and almost give Betis an early lead through Juanmi only for the striker to miss the target as he crossed the goal. The 41-year-old Joaquin’s deflected effort also hit the upright as United picked up on Betis’ early pressure.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Jamie O’Hara reacts to Marcus Rashford’s brilliant strike for Manchester United against Real Betis.
But the extravagance of former Man City boss Manuel Pelligrini’s team ensured United weathered the storm and progressed after Rashford put him through to add the finishing touch to United’s win as they advanced in the Europa League in search of their second trophy of the season. .
How Man Utd got past Betis in Spain
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, right, celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal
United began to panic under intense pressure from Betis as they looked for an early goal to reduce the deficit on aggregate. Juanmi was put through on goal for a good chance after eight minutes, but screamed quickly when he should have scored.
De Gea, who struggled in possession, had to be alert as Joaquin’s long-range effort hit the post and he quickly came off his line to keep out Juanmi as United were caught again after half an hour.
United, despite being second best in the first half, could have been 1-0 up at the break as Facundo Pellistri’s strike hit the post and was pulled back in stoppage time. Striker Wout Weghorst followed and if he connected with the ball United would have taken the lead.
Manchester United’s Wout Weghorst reacts after missing a chance to score
Betis picked up where they left off but couldn’t improve in front of goal. United began to settle and almost scored when Bruno Fernandes teed up Rashford in the box, but the club’s top scorer couldn’t find Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva from close range.
Rashford unceremoniously pounced on a pass on goal after a bobble took the ball away from him with only Silva to beat just two minutes later. But he quickly overcame his embarrassment to find the back of the net with a superb strike from distance to break Betis’ resolve.
The Spanish side fell slightly after Rashford’s goal extended United’s aggregate lead to four goals, but there was enough time for Juanmi to waste another good chance in the closing stages. United were underwhelming under Benito Villamarin, but ended up winning the match a week earlier at Old Trafford.
What’s next?
Manchester United host Fulham on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in their final game before the international break.
[ad_2]
Source link