Manchester United vs Real Betis: Three things to look out for (Europa League)

Manchester United will look to qualify themselves for the Europa League quarter-finals in their second-leg tie against Real Betis.

The first leg saw Manchester United score four past Real Betis, with the three-goal advantage firmly setting United on course to qualify.

Antony in particular scored a beautiful goal to regain Erik ten Hag‘s lead at the beginning of the second half, which really set the tone after an embarrassing defeat to Liverpool.

Here are three things fans should keep in mind as the fixture draws closer:

1) Erik ten Hag’s rotated team

An initial point to look out for will be Ten Hag’s line-up. As United are already three goals up from the first leg, there is a chance that the Dutchman will play a rotated side for the tie.

However, on many occasions this season, when were expected to play a rotated team, the manager instead decided not to change his line-up too much in order to give his team consistency.

But with a similar side losing to Liverpool and then drawing against Southampton in the Premier League, Ten Hag may look to switch things up to keep legs fresh and give those who have not played often a chance.

2) Casemiro’s potential suspension

Against Southampton on Sunday, Casemino suffered his second red card of the season, meaning he will be banned from Manchester United’s next four domestic fixtures.

The Brazilian midfielder also happens to be one yellow card away from serving a one-match ban in the Europa League due to accumulation.

Once Casemiro returns to domestic football, he will have missed eight United fixtures due to suspension so far this season, and Ten Hag will no doubt want him cleared for Europa League duty should United qualify for the quarter-finals.

Therefore, although the Brazilian midfielder will likely start as usual, it should be noted that if United are comfortable, he will probably come off the field in order to stop any chance of him receiving another yellow card before they are cleared ahead of the next round.

3) Further minutes for Facundo Pellistri

In recent weeks, Pellistri has impressed both Ten Hag and United fans with his cameos, particularly in the first leg of the Europa League tie in which it was his run that created Wout Weghorst’s goal.

Coupled with the injury sustained by Alejandro Garnacho against Southampton, Pellistri might be handed his chance for more significant minutes during the second-leg tie.

Ten Hag has spoken about Pellistri in recent interviews, explaining after the first leg: “This was his moment to come on because of a longer period he performed in training.

“What impressed me was he came on and, straight [away], showed himself. When they came on, Scott [McTominay] and Pelli, it was 3-1 but 4-1 is huge, to make the extra goal. In the first moment, they did, which was brilliant.”