Four places are up for grabs in Manchester United starting XI after Liverpool shambles

If the final Sunday in February was the start of a new era, then the first one of March prompted flashbacks of last season for Manchester United fans.

After a Carabao Cup trophy lift at Wembley, the Reds were set on banishing the ghosts of last year’s 4-0 defeat at Anfield. Instead, they walked away with seven demons.

The evening will leave a stain on each United player, staff member and fan for the rest of their lives. Some of those demons can be exorcised pretty quickly, not in a church but instead at the Theatre of Dreams.

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Thank goodness for the reprieve of the Europa League on Thursday - or perhaps not. Real Betis arrive at Old Trafford on the back of a goalless La Liga draw with Champions League holders Real Madrid - who recently beat Liverpool at Anfield 5-2 - without their best playmaker.

Nabil Fekir, ruled out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury, will undoubtedly quell the attacking threat of the side who sit fifth in Spain’s top flight. But they have shown this season that they are no pushovers, and a severely weakened United side somewhat discovered that during December’s 1-0 mid-season training camp friendly loss.

However, a night under the lights at Old Trafford may help soothe the fight night wounds of some players - if they are allowed to play. The truth is, some may not. Or at least not from the start.

Arguably four positions are up for grabs after the Liverpool humiliation. There is no question that Diogo Dalot’s attacking ability at right back usurps that of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

But defensively, the Englishman has proven his worth having fended off the likes of Phil Foden and Gabriel Martinelli their season, so it was