Erik ten Hag has named the same starting eleven against Real Betis that suffered a 7-0 hammering versus Liverpool at the weekend. This would suggest the Manchester United manager trusts his core group to bounce back and get a result.
I mean, why wouldn’t he? United are having a good season and a freak result shouldn’t warrant any over-the-top harsh treatment. Ten Hag would have doubled down on those responsible at training earlier this week, but tonight it is about moving on and giving ourselves an advantage in the second leg away at Betis.
In theory, Ten Hag is allowing these players to make amends for Sunday’s shocker.
David de Gea starts between the sticks — behind a back-four consisting of Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw.
In midfield, Casemiro will protect the defence, while Fred and Bruno Fernandes look to pull the strings in the final third. They will be mindful of how Betis try to catch teams on the counter-attack.
Antony, Wout Weghorst and Marcus Rashford all keep their places in attack. Hopefully Rashford is deployed on the left.
Manchester United XI vs Real Betis: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes; Antony, Weghorst, Rashford.
📋 Our starting XI this evening…
🔴 Bring on United! 🔴#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 9, 2023
