Bruno Fernandes shows captaincy credentials with Facundo Pellistri reaction in Man United moments missed

Manchester United responded to Sunday’s 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool to earn a well-deserved 4-1 win over Real Betis in their Europa League last-16 first-leg clash on Thursday evening.

Marcus Rashford’s sixth-minute opener was cancelled out by Ayoze Perez’s equaliser for Betis 26 minutes later. Antony restored the home side’s lead seven minutes after the break with a lovely curling effort before Bruno Fernandes nodded in a third six minutes later.

The toast of the night went to Wout Weghorst after he found the net for the first time in 12 matches on 82 minutes to grab United’s final goal. The Reds travel to Spain next week with a healthy three-goal lead as they look to earn a place in the quarter-finals.

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Here are four things fans may have missed during the victory.

Weghorst finally got his long-awaited goal and he will thank substitute Facundo Pellistri for his assist within a minute of his entry. The Uruguayan looked to be surrounded on all sides by Betis players but somehow managed to find a gap outside to play the ball back to Scott McTominay, whose shot was palmed into the path of Weghorst.

The Dutchman did the rest and ran off in celebration, while Fernandes went over to Pellistri to give him a high-five, wrap his arm around him and congratulate him for his contribution.

Fernandes had been criticised after the 7-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday with his captaincy being questioned. When the names were read out over the tannoy before the game, the midfielder was given a mighty cheer.

The first chant of the match from the terraces was for the Portuguese ace and this continued when he powered home a header from a corner to grab United’s third goal of the night.

Antony