Erik ten Hag explains how Manchester United took another step with their winning mentality vs Real Betis
Marcus Rashford lashed in his 27th goal of the season to secure victory for Man United away at Real Betis in the Europa League.
Erik ten Hag hailed Marcus Rashford’s resilience after he scored Manchester United’s winner away at Real Betis.
Rashford scored the only goal of the Europa League round-of-16 second leg to secure a 5-1 aggregate triumph with a rasping effort from 20 yards.
The 25-year-old wasted a one-on-one in the 53rd minute and spurned an easier opportunity two minutes later when he spooned the ball high into the crowd. Fifty-five seconds later, Rashford lashed in his 27th goal of the campaign.
“The team was creating some chances,” Ten Hag said. “Rashy had some chances before. And he missed some but he kept his belief, he kept trying and got his reward.
“All good strikers know that not every chance you will get a goal but at this level, you don’t create five or six chances in a game so one of the two has to be in.
“It tells you something about the team’s performance. It tells you something about him. If he keeps the focus and makes sure he has the energy, the way, and the way he has to play in that system and style, he will get in scoring positions and then it’s about him – he has the ability to finish.”
United are certain to head into April with more silverware to play for and will discover their opponents in the Europa League quarter-final on Friday. They have already ended their trophy drought this season with the League Cup, while there is an FA Cup quarter-final at home against Fulham on Sunday.
Betis forward Juanmi miscued a shot wide and Joaquin’s deflected drive shaved the post in an edgy first 15 minutes for United in the Estadio Benito Villamarín, but Betis’ failure to score before the interval effectively ended their hopes of a recovery.
“Yes very pleased,” Ten Hag added. “I know in the start of the game it can be very difficult because they were going to try, and try to get quickly to 1-0 but we don’t allow them. That is what we did.
“We needed the first goal. First half, we had some chances and we allowed them to get some counter-attacks, so we had to be a little bit more calm on the ball and we did that in the second half.
