2022-23 UEFA Europa League, Round of 16

Bruno Fernandes leads Manchester United to Europa League win over Real Betis

Burley: Man United responded and put Anfield disaster behind them (1:20)

Craig Burley and Shaka Hislop say Man United put their 7-0 defeat vs. Liverpool in the rearview mirror with a Europa League win over Real Betis. (1:20)

Manchester Unitedtotally outclassed a qualityReal Betisside in a 4-1 Europa League round-of-16, first-leg win on Thursday night.

With the snow falling at Old Trafford,Marcus RashfordandAyoze Pereztraded first-half tallies before United hit top gear in the second stanza with goals fromAntonyBruno FernandesandWout Weghorststaking them to a comfortable lead ahead of the second leg at the Benito Villamarin Stadium on March 16.

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Manager Erik ten Hag picked the exact same XI as he did for Sundaysthrashing at the hands ofLiverpooland, despite beatingBarcelonain the previous round, United went into the match knowing all five of their past European campaigns came to an end at the hands of Spanish opposition.

I think we played well, the second half especially. 4-1. Good goals. Good performance also to give something to the fans, and they gave us something back as well because they were right behind us, Ten Hag said after the match. Very grateful after Sunday.

Its always see how a team reacts after a setback. We can reset, we can bounce back, this team has character.

Recent history aside, the United manager got the response he was looking for when Fernandes set Rashford up in the penalty area and the prolific No. 10 cut to his right and powered a shot into the roof ofClaudio Bravos net to open the scoring inside of 10 minutes.

Its a step back in the right direction, Rashford said. Obviously, we have to build on this now to gain momentum again. We cant put too much emphasis on Sunday, because its gone, we cant change it.

United had firm control of the opening minutes and Weghorst had two chances to double the lead before 20 minutes, but theNetherlandsinternational saw Bravo save his first effort and flashed just wide of the near post from aLuke Shawpass with his second.

Despite their dominance, United found themselves back on level terms in the 32nd minute as Ayoze Perez lashed a low shot from distance that was just past the outstretched arm of David De Gea to make it 1-1.

A woeful ball out of the back from De Gea set Betis up to take lead just before the break, but the United keeper was spared by the post after Perezs deflected effort from a tight angle clattered off the frame and left the score level at the half.

Ten Hags side started the second half the way they began the first, roaring out of the dressing room and quickly going up 3-1 with goals from Antony and Fernandes in the space of six minutes.

First, Fernandes picked out Antony on the right edge of the area and watched as his Brazilian teammate cut onto his trademark left foot and curled an unstoppable shot past Bravo. Then the United captain picked up a goal of his own with a glancing header from Shaws whipped-in corner.

Bruno, I think he was brilliant today, he led the team from the first minute by his game, possession, make the rhythm of the game, and then score a goal, so Im happy, Ten Hag said.

Manuel Pellegrinis Betis, sitting fifth inLaLiga, had no answers as they looked to work their way back into the game and the job in the second leg was made harder when Bravo blockedScott McTominays shot right into the path of Weghorst for an easy finish from close range.

Man United hostSouthamptonin the Premier League on Sunday, while Betis are away toVillarrealin LaLiga on the same day.

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Erik ten Hag said Bruno Fernandes has shown his personality to put criticism following the defeat to Liverpool behind him.

Craig Burley and Shaka Hislop say Man United put their 7-0 defeat vs. Liverpool in the rearview mirror with a Europa League win over Real Betis.

Manchester United fielded the same XI that were embarrassed 7-0 at Liverpool on Sunday. This time, they got the result, rolling over Real Betis 4-1.

Manchester United largely outclassed a quality Real Betis side in a Europa League round-of-16, first-leg win on Thursday night.

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