Manchester United took control of their last-16 Europa League tie against Real Betis with a commanding first-leg victory at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford’s thumping early strike put the hosts ahead and, while Ayoze Perez levelled for Betis, Erik ten Hag’s side created several excellent chances and were worthy winners.
Antony curled in a superb second to put United back in front, before Bruno Fernandes headed home Luke Shaw’s corner in front of the Stretford End to extend their lead.
Wout Weghorst’s late goal put the gloss on a performance that proved to be the perfect response to Sunday’s humbling 7-0 defeat at Anfield against Liverpool in the Premier League.
Manchester United travel to Seville for the second leg on Thursday, 16 March (17:45 GMT).
Manchester United delight after ‘unacceptable’ Anfield debacle
In his programme notes, Ten Hag described the Anfield debacle as ‘unacceptable’ and said he had left his players in no doubt such performances would not be tolerated.
And, in a move that smacked of the Dutchman applying collective responsibility for the loss rather than singling out individuals for blame, he named an unchanged line-up.
For half an hour, all went well.
The hosts dominated as Rashford drove home his 26th goal of a magnificent season in the sixth minute after Fernandes’ cross had been diverted into his path.
Further chances were created – the issue was none of them went in.
Bravo twice denied Rashford, Fernandes had a shot blocked and Weghorst’s near-post effort was deflected wide even though he didn’t get a corner.
Betis’ form in La Liga, where they are fifth, suggested they were not as poor as it appeared and Ayoze Perez proved it when he drilled home a low shot from the angle of the penalty area.
Had the on-loan Leicester City forward got a second after he was set up by Juanmi – gifted possession by David de Gea, who rolled a pass straight to him from inside his six-yard box – anxiety might have spread through home ranks.
As it was, Perez’s deflected shot bounced back off a post and Manchester United survived – although question marks remain over keeper De Gea, whose contract expires in the summer.
Pellistri shows potential in late show
Even Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini, who barely said anything noteworthy to the media during his three years as Manchester City boss, couldn’t resist a pre-match dig at Manchester United after their seven-goal defeat at Liverpool.
As the weeks pass, it will be interesting to see if any individual does pay a price for what unfolded in what many view as the Premier League’s greatest rivalry.
For now though, it can be claimed normal service has resumed.
Antony’s superb curling shot restored the home side’s advantage seven minutes after the restart and Weghorst found the net with a first-time strike eight minutes from time.
The key element of that late effort though was the contribution of Facundo Pellistri.
Good enough to play all three games for Uruguay in Qatar at the World Cup, the 21-year-old was only making his fifth United appearance, all off the bench.
But Pellistri’s role in Weghorst’s second Manchester United goal suggests he will be called upon more often as the campaign reaches its crucial phase.
Ignoring the safety-first option of a pass back to halfway, he took off on a run past the Betis defence to the byeline where he sent a cross back to Scott McTominay, whose effort was blocked and bounced kindly for Weghorst to finish.
