Man Utd v Betis preview: Opportunity for Red Devils to bounce back
The Dutchman described his side’s second-half performance as ‘unprofessional’ and he now has the task of picking his players up to tackle a UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie with Real Betis.
He’ll be confident of achieving that though, given that both the Red Devils’ previous 3+ goal defeats this term were followed by victories.
While the Old Trafford faithful were bruised by that drubbing, they’ll be sure to get behind their side who are unbeaten on home soil since September (W17, D2).
They’ll be aware that United’s last defeat on their own turf was to Spanish opposition in the form of Real Sociedad in this season’s group stage however, and although they impressively knocked out Barcelona to get to this stage, they’ve been eliminated by Spanish opposition in each of their last five European campaigns.
Betis geared up for their first ever trip to Old Trafford with a goalless draw against Spanish and European champions Real Madrid.
That stalemate left Los Verdiblancos just three points adrift of the top-four in La Liga, and bookended a four-match unbeaten run which has propelled their pursuit of a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2005 (W3, D1).
The Andalusians have been comfortable on their travels of late, winning each of their last three road trips, with the last two decided by a 3-2 scoreline. They’re also unbeaten in five UEL matches away from home (W4, D1), whilst also sailing through the group stages without tasting defeat (W5, D1), so they’re unlikely to be intimidated by the Old Trafford crowd.
Key battle: Red Devils’ midfield stalwart Casemiro has lost just two of his 12 personal H2H meetings with Betis (W7, D3).
He could be tasked with restricting Betis loanee Ayoze Pérez, who assisted twice in his last clash against the Manchester club, part of a 4-2 Leicester victory.
Hot stat: Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has faced United four times in European competition, all ending in 0-0 draws while in charge of Villarreal.
