Erik ten Hag could hand out a Manchester United debut in Europa League fixture vs Real Betis

Sandwiched between two disappointing Premier League results, Manchester United took a giant stride towards the quarter-finals of the Europa League last Thursday evening.

Just four days after being embarrassed by Liverpool at Anfield, United delivered a first-class response and took out their frustrations on Real Betis, recording an impressive 4-1 win in the first leg of their last-16 showdown at Old Trafford. After Marcus Rashford had seen his first-half opener cancelled out by Leicester City loanee Ayoze Perez, United rallied in the second half, putting the La Liga side to the sword.

Goals from Antony, Bruno Fernandes and a first at Old Trafford for Wout Weghorst sealed a routine victory, meaning they will arrive in Spain for Thursday's second leg with one foot already in the last-eight.

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While nothing can be taken for granted in football, particularly in European competitions, United will be confident of seeing the job through and keeping their hopes of clinching a famous cup treble this season alive. The Reds have already scooped the Carabao Cup this season and face Fulham in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Although United manager Erik ten Hag, just as he set out in his first interview after arriving at the club last summer, has taken each and every cup match this season seriously, consistently naming a strong XI, you sense that he can afford to break the terms of his own philosophy in Seville. Not only do the Reds boast a three-goal lead in the tie, they are also still in with a chance of playing every fixture possible this season having already won the Carabao Cup and still being alive in both the FA Cup and the Europa League.

The Reds' fixture schedule