Real Betis 0-1 Manchester United (Agg 1-5): Marcus Rashford scores as Erik ten Hag’s side sail through

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Manchester United cruised into the Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-1 aggregate win over Real Betis after Marcus Rashford’s 27th goal of the season sealed a 1-0 victory in Spain.

Rashford broke the deadlock just shy of the hour with a stunning strike from range to kill off the tie and end Betis’ hopes of a miraculous comeback. The Spanish side had looked the more dangerous up until that point.

United failed to control the first half, allowing the game to become stretched which almost resulted in Betis taking an early lead through Juanmi only for the forward to miss the target when through on goal. 41-year-old Joaquin’s deflected effort also hit the upright as United buckled under the early Betis pressure.

But wastefulness from former Man City boss Manuel Pelligrini’s side ensured United could weather the storm and progress after Rashford put a horrendous miss behind him to add the finishing touches to United’s win as they march on in the Europa League in search of a second trophy this season.

How Man Utd edged past Betis in Spain

United had a panicky start under intense pressure from Betis as they searched for an early goal to reduce the deficit on aggregate. Juanmi was put through on goal for a glorious chance after eight minutes but sent his shout wide when he probably should have scored.

De Gea, who struggled in possession, had to be alert as Joaquin’s long-range effort struck the post and he was quick off his line to keep out Juanmi as United were caught out in behind again after half an hour.

United, despite being second best in the first period, could have gone in 1-0 up at the break as Facundo Pellistri’s strike hit the post and bounced out in stoppage time. Striker Wout Weghorst was following in and had he connected with the ball would have given United the lead.

Betis picked up where they left off but couldn’t improve in front of goal. United began to settle and nearly scored when Bruno Fernandes fed Rashford in the box, but the club’s top scorer could not find a way past Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva from close-range.

Rashford uncharacteristically spooned over when through on goal after a bobble took the ball away from him with only Silva to beat just two minutes later. But he quickly brushed off the embarrassment to find the back of the net with a superb strike from range to break Betis’ resolve.

The Spanish side somewhat collapsed after Rashford’s goal extended United’s aggregate lead to four goals, but there was enough time for Juanmi to waste another good chance in the closing stages. United underperformed at the Benito Villamarin, but ultimately won the tie a week earlier at Old Trafford.