Manchester United are preparing for kick-off ahead of their round-of-16 tie against Real Betis in the Europa League, with the first leg played at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
Erik ten Hag’s men are in desperate need of a morale-boosting win after succumbing to a humiliating 7-0 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool last weekend.
It was, arguably, the lowest point of Ten Hag’s reign so far but the Dutchman has stuck to his guns for this game as he has named the same team that experienced an embarrassing afternoon at Anfield.
That decision has taken some supporters by surprise and ahead of the game, United legend Paul Scholes admitted he was surprised as he delivered his raw reaction to the news.
"I think he's sent the same team out to test a few characters tonight…"
Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves discuss Erik ten Hag's decision to stick with the same Man Utd XI vs. Real Betis 🗣️#UEL pic.twitter.com/Kd7MrFHzd9
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2023
“Slightly,” Scholes told BT Sport Football when asked if he was surprised. “I don’t like making excuses but they have played a lot of games. But he’s thought ‘forget that, it doesn’t matter, I’m sending the same team out, they owe me’ after what was a shambles of a second-half performance at Liverpool.
“I think he’s sent the same team out to test a few characters tonight. As well to see, going forward, can these players really play for (Ten Hag) in big games and when it really matters.”
Make no mistake about it, this group of players have been doing a lot of good things for an extended period of time but the showing against Liverpool was not acceptable and they definitely have a thing or two to prove tonight.
