Real Betis Vs Manchester United Europa League Last 16 Preview: Bad Dream Of Shadowing Red Devils

Manchester United. (Photo: Twitter @ManUtd)

JAKARTA - A nightmare is currently overshadowing Manchester United (MU) as they prepare for their home game against Real Betis in the first leg of the 2022/2023 European League 16 round.

This match will take place at Manchester United's proud stadium, Old Trafford, Friday, March 10 in the morning WIB. Betis will be the third Spanish team to face Manchester United this season in the Europa League.

The Red Devils managed to beat Barcelona with an aggregate score of 4-3 in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini's team defeated Roma, HJK Helsinki, and Ludogorets to occupy the top position in Group C.

Despite defeating Barcelona, United face this game after the poor results they got in their last match against their eternal rival Liverpool last weekend.

In the Premier League continued match, the Red Devils were made to give up seven goals without reply at Anfield. This result is of course a bad capital after before they slowly rise to compete in the top four.

MU has faced the Spanish team every year since 2017 and with a variety of results. The latest is their last win over Barcelona in the playoffs of this competition.

Another victory over the Matador representatives took place in the semifinals of the European League against Celta Vigo in 2017. They also lost in the final of the same competition against Villarreal in the 2020/2021 season.

This season the Red Devils have faced Real Sociedad during the preliminary round with the result of one win and one defeat before meeting Barcelona and the draw for the round of 16 against Betis.

In total, English Premier League clubs have fought Spain 59 times since their first meeting with Valencia in 1982 in the European League. This is the first meeting between MU and Betis in any competition.

The Andalusian original team became the 12th Spanish team to be faced by the Red Devils in major European competitions. That number is the largest from one country.

Betis tactician Manuel Pellegrini has fought Manchester United four times before in European competition. The four games ended goalless in the Champions League group stages in 2005/2006 and 2008/2009 when he was Villarreal's manager.

Pellegrini versus MU's record is slightly better in the English Premier League. He faced them nine times, won five, drew one, and lost three times in England with Manchester City and West Ham.

Predictions of the line-up:

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Fred, McTominay; Sancho, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford.

Real Betis (4-2-3-1): Bravo; Sabaly, Felipe, Pezzella, Miranda; Carvalho, Rodriguez; Canales, Rodri, Perez; Iglesias.