Same players, very different scores. For Manchester UnitedIt was a 10-goal hit in four days as the quest to make up for the historic humiliation at Anfield began promisingly. Lost 7-0 to Liverpool Real Betis 4-1 and the dramatic change in fortunes personified as follows: Bruno Fernandes.
The villain for some on Merseyside, it was easier to brand him a hero here. After the moodiness and the crackdown on the 2nd referee came the productivity and purpose that made him such a talisman. Portugal held the captaincy, With the support of Erik ten Hagand the manager might sense some justification as he found Fernandes inspiring. This time he led by an example of the right kind with a goal, an assist and a role. Marcus Rashfordopener.
A bullet heading from Luke Shaw’s corner brought the first goal in nine games; but it meant much more than that, and the Portuguese put their hands to their ears to celebrate. There was a message there for his critics. In the midst of a forgiving mood, there was also one from the United crowd. When the names of the actors were announced, they were applauded. Fernandes was the first to serenade, and “Bruno” echoed at Old Trafford when he scored. Fans wanted the Glazers to go, but none of those directly responsible for Liverpool’s seven goals.
Perhaps fans have placed the gutting of Anfield in the context of a season of progression. He could still give three trophies and United could lead Sevilla by three goals next week. Europa League second leg. Unlike Sunday, their performance was backed by the right attitude. They were positive and energetic, starting fast and then relentless. They collected 24 shots and the winning margin could have been bigger.
At Anfield they conceded six goals in the second half, then three goals and then ayoze perez He equalized with a team holding Real Madrid at the weekend, and changed the face of the draw. This was the desired answer. Ten Hag’s team page could be some kind of explanation. It stayed in the same 11, and if unchanged teams were the basis for unbeaten runs, it was sent on a quest for redemption. It wasn’t a shock that Rashford set the course: It’s always been that way this season. The sixth-minute opening was an instant response to the seven eliminations. Definitely taken.
Rashford’s 18th goal in 22 games was a hard shot that flew to the roof of the net. CasemiroThe Brazilian’s celebration was instructive, as the Brazilian both encouraged the crowd to speak louder and clasped his hands to apologize.
Rashford made a great start to United
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Even before Rashford attacked, Wout Weghorst There was one goal that was cancelled. The Dutch player’s quest for a delayed second United hit came to a belated end, 12 games after the first and a string of misses, when Scott McTominay deflected a shot and converted the rebound. After debuting at number 10 at Anfield, Weghorst was again leading the line: yet the same side featured positional switches to bring the best performance from Dutch Rashford (left) and Fernandes, returning to the favorite center role. .
They encountered unexpected resistance. Claudio Bravo was in a defiant form, saving very few shots during his time playing for the Manchester City goal. Twice rejected the electric Rashford, stood out brilliantly Antony from doubling his tally and making a good save from McTominay, only for Weghorst to attack. Meanwhile, Fernandes was everywhere. After going unpunished for his indecision at Anfield, he was booked for a move at Bravo. It may have been a very conspicuous display of devotion, but most of its impact was commendable.
He found Antony when the Brazilian player, who had won against Barcelona in the final round, took the trouble of another Spanish side and slashed his shot from the side of an unmoving Bravo. Then Fernandes turned it into a restorative opportunity for himself by scoring the kind of goal he rarely does.
The Witch of Ten got the answer she sought after her embarrassment on Sunday.
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But it was a bad goal for Betis to concede, especially given their clean score against Real Madrid. On Manuel Pellegrini’s return to Manchester, they had made their own comeback by leveling up as Perez drove a half volley into the far corner of the United net. The Leicester loaner, who has not scored in the Premier League this season, has scored on his first return to England. There was a doubt that Juanmi settled before she found Perez, but Betis painfully approached the lead. Just before the time-out, a Perez midfielder deflected into the post.
His fans were both loud and colorful, with a green and white corner at Old Trafford, one of the biggest European games in their history. Driving, swirling snow created these alien conditions for Andalusians. For United, the climate may be changing. Spanish teams have eliminated them from Europe in the past five seasons and Real Sociedad have won the group stages at Old Trafford. But Betis can now join Barcelona between United’s scalps. Their new foe may be Liverpool instead, not so pleasantly for them.