Erik ten Hag's risky decisions with Marcus Rashford are paying off at Manchester United

Rashford risk

Erik ten Hag was always going to make changes to his team for this game, but had to balance the desire to rotate with the risk of firing Real Betis up by stripping out the whole side.

United could probably have made 11 changes and still had enough to see off the challenge of Betis, but they were never going to take that chance. If there was a surprise in the starting XI it was the presence of Marcus Rashford, rather than Jadon Sancho, given the importance of Rashford to United at the moment.

He was always going to earn an England call-up on the day of this game, meaning no rest during the international break, unlike Sancho, who isn't yet back in the Three Lions set-up. Perhaps Rashford will be rested against Fulham this weekend, but it didn't feel like he needed to start this game.

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But maybe Ten Hag is getting his handling of the 25-year-old just right at the moment. This start didn't seem necessary, but his pace made him a threat throughout and he clearly wants to be playing every game. Ironically he missed two glorious chances on the break before thrashing in his 27th goal of the season from 25 yards.

The Dutchman's man-management skills were questioned when he got the job at United. It was suggested that it was a weakness for him at Ajax, but he has handled Rashford brilliantly, including dropping him for missing a team meeting at Wolves.

That was a risk as well, but the forward came off the bench to score that day and he's now featured in 43 of United's 45 games this season, including every game since September 15. He also played five times during the World Cup.

United have at least 15 more games to play this season and with internationals to come as