Marcus Rashford strikes as Manchester United ease past Real Betis in Europa League

Marcus Rashford fired Manchester United to victory at Real Betis with a rocket of a strike as Erik ten Hag’s side cruised through to the Europa League quarter-finals.

United headed to Spain all-but assured of progress from this last-16 tie having won the first leg 4-1 in freezing conditions at Old Trafford last week.

Betis made United sweat during the opening stages in the return fixture, but Rashford’s outstanding strike silenced the bouncing Estadio Benito Villamarin and secured a 1-0 win on the night.

The impressive 5-1 aggregate triumph puts them through to the quarter-finals, with Friday’s draw to outline their potential path to the Europa League final in Budapest.

"I am happy, we like challenges. This is a good team, we have seen it against Real Madrid and Barcelona. We beat them twice so I think we performed very well," said Ten Hag.

"Second half we were much better on the ball, much more calm. we keep the ball in the opponent's half and let them run. And you see we created chanced.

"I think all the players did very well. Once again the players that came in did a good job and gave a good performance. So you can see we are not just 11 players we are a squad."

The second leg in Seville had started in unconvincing fashion against Manuel Pellegrini’s Verdiblancos, with Juanmi wasting a glorious chance before Joaquin struck the post from distance.

Facundo Pellistri, making his first United start, hit the post at the end of a poor first half that was followed by a much-improved second-period performance by Ten Hag’s team.

Rashford looked sharp and followed an inexplicable miss moments earlier by unleashing a stunning 25-yard strike that ensured United’s first away trip since their Anfield annihilation ended in a win.