Erik ten Hag buoyed with Manchester United's response to Liverpool loss as Red Devils thrash Real Betis in Europa League
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Updated 09/03/2023 at 23:59 GMT
Everyone was wondering how Manchester United would respond after their humiliating 7-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool. Well, The Red Devils fired back at their critics as they brushed aside Real Betis 4-1 in the Europa League, with Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes amongst the goals. It was a satisfying night for Erik ten Hag, who named the same starting line-up from the Anfield loss.
‘The best player on the pitch’ - Ten Hag praises ‘brilliant’ Fernandes
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag praised his side’s character after the 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the first leg of the last-16 Europa League tie.
Surprisingly, Ten Hag didn’t make any changes to the starting line-up that had been humiliated 7-0 by Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. It was a decision that raised eyebrows but it paid dividends as United brushed aside their La Liga opponents in front of a jubilant Old Trafford crowd.
Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst were all on the scoresheet as United put one foot into the quarter-finals of the competition – they will hope to finish the job on Thursday, March 16 in Spain.
"I think we played a very good game in both halves," Ten Hag told BT Sport. "At half-time we should have been up 3-0 but we make one mistake [and] it is 1-1.
"We scored some good goals, we gave the fans something to support and they gave it back so we are very grateful.
"It was a great attitude, we were good on the ball, made good switches and runs in behind and created a lot of chances.
"It is always good to see how the team reacts after a setback. This is not the first time this season we can reset and bounce back. This team has character, so big compliments to the team."
The victory extended United’s unbeaten run at Old Trafford to 20 games, and a second goal in red for the popular Weghorst crowned a positive night for The Red Devils.
Ten Hag was also pleased for Fernandes, who answered his critics with a fine display.
He said: "For a striker [Wout Weghorst] was so close so many times. He has already created chances and goals for others and he deserved his goal.
"Bruno [Fernandes] was fantastic. He led the team with his control of the game and passing and then he scored a goal."
Rashford, who continued his red-hot scoring form as he grabbed his 26th goal of the season, was delighted with his side's attitude.
"It is always important to win the next fixture after a loss, it is the only way to bounce back and continue to the momentum we had before the game,” said the striker. "We always try to start quick and a goal always helps that and I think they defended the box well in the first half, but in the second half it opened up more as to be expected with the game at 1-1.
"We started well in both halves, and yeah it is important to try and score the goals and that is the difference."
On his side’s response to Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool, Rashford said: "It is a step back in the right direction. We have to build on it now again, but we can't put too much emphasis on Sunday because it is gone and we can't change it so we have to keep moving forward."
Manchester United are back in action on Sunday when they host Southampton in the Premier League.
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