Manchester United predicted XI vs Real Betis in second leg of Europa League clash

Manchester United will take on Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin Stadium on Thursday in an effort to secure their place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Last week’s opening leg of the tie saw the Red Devils disgrace Manuel Pellegrini’s group 4-1, giving Erik ten Hag’s men the perfect opportunity to exact revenge for their embarrassment at the hands of Liverpool.

Ayoze Perez’s well-placed goal on his return to England gave Betis hope at Old Trafford, but Pellegrini’s return to his beloved city of Manchester ultimately turned out to be a sad one for the former Manchester City manager as his team was crushed by a second-half assault.

After only six minutes, Marcus Rashford scored a lethal opening goal. Then, after Ten Hag’s halftime team talk, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, and Wout Weghorst all added to the mayhem, putting Betis on the verge of elimination.

Real Betis enter this match following a La Liga result of a 1-1 draw with Villarreal, which places them fifth in the standings and three points outside the top four.

United will be hoping for a successful comeback following a 0-0 draw against Southampton in the Premier League as a result of what can only be described as an appalling and incredibly inept refereeing performance.

David de Gea, Lisandro Martinez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka look set to retain their spots in United’s starting lineup. Martinez turned up to the pre-match press conference alongside Erik ten Hag and hence, is expected to start in the Red Devils’ backline.

Although United have a three-goal advantage to defend, Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire are both prospects for rotation in the backline with Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane both being given breaks respectively.

The upcoming four-game domestic suspension for Casemiro has no bearing on the Europa League, and he should start this match, possibly alongside the fit-again Sabitzer while Fred could be handed a breather.

When he attempts to change the course of European history, Marcus Rashford may anticipate starting in the number nine slot.

The 25-year-old may replace Wout Weghorst, who did not even play through halftime against Southampton before being substituted; to become the youngest Englishman and Man United player to record 25 major European goals with one more goal.

If so, Rashford will likely be supported by Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho, while Anthony Elanga might benefit from Antony’s absence to secure an increasingly uncommon start out wide.

Alejandro Garnacho’s absence will cause United to adjust for the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 match against Real Betis on Thursday night.

After suffering an ankle injury against Southampton over the weekend, the teenager had to leave Old Trafford on crutches and will be sidelined for at least a few weeks.

Garnacho joins the list of regular absentees on the sidelines along with Anthony Martial, Christian Eriksen, and Donny van de Beek, while Antony is ill and is also unable to travel.

Full Predicted XI

De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia, Casemiro, Sabitzer, Fernandes, Sancho, Elanga, Rashford.