Real Betis - Man Utd: Invincible aspiration
"Man Utd is undefeated until the end of the season," Ten Hag said in a press conference on March 15. "But we have to show it game by game. Man Utd takes every game seriously and we will use the strongest team against Betis."
Man Utd have played 20 games since the start of 2023, more than any other team in Europe. Almost every match is important to them, causing some players in the level to be overloaded like Bruno Fernandes or Casemiro. However, Ten Hag says that these two players will play in the second leg in Andalucia, Spain. Less than three days later, Man Utd had to play the FA Cup again with Fulham at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag also does not have too many options in the middle, when midfielder Christian Eriksen has a long-term injury, and rookie Marcel Sabitzer has just returned from injury. If he does not use Casemiro, he will have to use midfield pairing Scott McTominay and Fred. But Casemiro was suspended for the game against Fulham anyway, so it is understandable that he started against Betis.
However, Man Utd fans expect Fernandes or at least Marcus Rashford to be rested in this match. Rashford has played all 20 games since the beginning of the year, and Fernandes also started 19 matches, of which only one game he was substituted. On the attack, Man Utd has just lost Alejandro Garnacho to a long-term injury, Antony is sick and Anthony Martial has not yet returned. But they still have Anthony Elanga or Facundo Pellistri, players capable of kicking in a match where the team is allowed to lose by two goals or less.
With the ambition to go unbeaten until the end of the season, Ten Hag may not be able to use the two young players mentioned at Benito Villamarin in the Europa League. But if Rashford or Fernandes has a long-term injury, the "Red Devils" will have to pay a heavy price.
Betis is fifth in La Liga and just three points away from the Champions League spot next season. Coach Manuel Pellegrini also expressed his desire to reverse the situation against Man Utd. "We have to believe in that ability and try to do our best throughout the game. In football, no one knows the results in advance," said the former Man City coach.
Betis is also missing defender Luiz Felipe after he injured his thigh in the first leg. In the next match, Pellegrini's teachers and students continue to play at home, so they will definitely do their best to beat Man Utd. "Betis will show everyone what we can do," midfielder Guido Rodriguez said.
In theory, Man Utd still has a chance to win four, but the possibility of them falling out of the Top 4 Premier League is greater than the probability of winning. Liverpool, Newcastle or even Brighton can also push Man Utd and Tottenham out of the Top 4 if these two teams are not careful.
The season is entering a pivotal period, and being unbeaten against Betis is probably not as important as the pillars being healed. In the match against Southampton last weekend, former midfielder Paul Scholes warned Ten Hag to keep Casemiro as a substitute. As a result, he started and received a red card, suspended for four domestic matches.
Ten Hag's personnel decisions may not satisfy the fans, but they will still trust the Dutch coach if Man Utd continues to bring positive signals like the English League Cup.
