Real Betis will be without influential playmaker Nabil Fekir when they take on Manchester United over two legs in the Europa League.
The sixth-placed La Liga side will be fearing the worst after Manchester United progress to the last-16 of the competition after beating the best team in Spain. Erik ten Hag’s side got positive results at Camp Nou and Old Trafford and really made a statement to the other teams left in the competition.
Now Betis face the task of beating United without their second-most productive player this season, with Fekir being involved in nine goals so far this season.
Fekir sustained a knee injury in Friday’s dramatic 3-2 win over Elche. The club have since confirmed his injury and the Frenchman looks set to miss the rest of the season.
A statement from Real Betis read: “Nabil Fekir suffered a hyperextension of his left knee in one of the last plays during the match against Elche CF last Friday.
“The tests he has undergone by the Real Betis Balompié medical services have confirmed that he has an anterior cruciate ligament injury in said knee. The player will have to undergo surgery in the next few days to resolve this injury, the prognosis of which implies that he will miss the remainder of the season.”
Betis face Real Madrid on Sunday before traveling to Old Trafford on Thursday. It will be their first time facing United in a competitive fixture and we’re looking forward to it.
Get the most important Manchester United news, opinion, interviews and exclusive features with the Stretty Newsletter – Ad Free! Kick off your afternoon with the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.