Sports
Man United vs Real Betis: Europa League – LIVE!
Tonight’s Europa League clash at Old Trafford is the ideal opportunity for Erik ten Hag’s side to bounce back from a shock thrashing at the hands of Liverpool – but their opponents in this last-16 first leg are certainly no pushovers.
Currently riding high in LaLiga, Betis held Real Madrid to a draw on the weekend to end a run of three consecutive victories and are under the wily tutelage of Manuel Pellegrini, who certainly knows how to rile the United faithful as the former boss of Manchester City.
United have reached at least the semi-finals in their last three Europa League campaigns and will be in no mood to give up their hunt for a second trophy of the season at this stage, having already knocked out Spain’s top side in Barcelona. The hosts have named an unchanged team from the weekend with Joaquin, 41, starting in attack for Betis. Follow Man United vs Real Betis LIVE via Standard Sport’s match blog!
Live updates
Real Betis’ away support head into Old Trafford
Behind the scenes at Old Trafford
Erik ten Hag issues rallying cry in his programme notes
“There are some performances and results which cannot be quickly forgotten, and our defeat at Anfield is an obvious example of this.
“It is not acceptable for Manchester United to lose in that fashion to any team, but especially not to Liverpool. I want to make clear to you, our fans, that I share your bitter disappointment about the result, and the players have been left in no doubt that we cannot tolerate what we saw in the second half on Sunday.
“Me, the staff and all the players have to take joint responsibility.”
Man United vs Real Betis: Countdown to kick-off
Under an hour until we get underway at Old Trafford!
Over in Lisbon, Arsenal are now trailing to Sporting CP…
Man United vs Real Betis match odds
Man United: 3/10
Draw: 4/1
Real Betis: 8/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Joaquin starts for Real Betis
Betis legend Joaquin starts in a 4-2-3-1 setup for the visitors at the ripe old age of 41.
Otherwise, Abner comes in at left-back with Luiz Henrique and Juanmi also picked for the attack.
Playmaker Sergio Canales loses his race to be fit to start tonight.
Unchanged from Man United
A bold call by Erik ten Hag to send the same XI that lost to Liverpool right back our there again tonight!
Your Betis team
Real Betis XI: Bravo; Sabaly, Pezzella, Felipe, Abner; Rodriguez, Carvalho; Joaquin, Henrique, Juanmi; Perez.
Subs: Gonzalez, Victor Ruiz, Iglesias, Canales, Willian Jose, Rui Silva, Guardado, Ruibal, Martin, Sanchez, Miranda, Perez Guerrero.
How Man United line up tonight
Manchester United XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Weghorst, Fernandes; Rashford.
Subs: Heaton, Butland, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia, Sancho, Pellistri, Wan-Bissaka, Elanga, McTominay, Garnacho, Mainoo.
Today’s destination
A proper cold one in Manchester tonight. Temperatures barely above freezing, rasping wind, sleet/snow/rain – you name it.
It’s 19°C in Seville, meanwhile…
