Manchester United vs Real Betis
Manchester United will face yet another tough test in their pre-season outing, this time against La Liga side Real Betis, happening on Thursday at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, USA.
This Club Friendly match-up will be the Red Devils’ second one on their current US tour, and manager Erik Ten Hag would be wise to be cautious about his selections as he has already lost two vital players last time out against Arsenal.
With Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro picking up untimely injuries, United fans hold their collective breaths with less than a month left before the Premier League season kicks off.
Talking Points
Troublesome injuries bother Ten Hag’s men
Despite an FA Cup victory last season, Manchester United struggled massively in both their Premier League and European endeavours as injuries hampered the Red Devils throughout the year.
They were knocked out of the Champions League’s group stages, whilst they could only finish eighth in the league—their worst since the 1989/90 season.
That’s why losing Hojlund and Yoro—even in a friendly—is a scary sight to see for the Mancunians.
“We have to wait 24 hours and then we will hopefully know more,” the 54-year-old manager said in an interview after the game.
Hojlund, who led United in scoring during his first year with the team, suffered a muscle injury in the first-half of their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, but not before he put the Red Devils ahead, coming off an exquisite ball from Marcus Rashford.
Arsenal then equalised after Gabriel Jesus was left unmarked before Leny Yoro was taken off after picking up a knock.
Gabriel Martinelli scored a late winner for the Gunners after brilliantly beating his defender from the left flank and slotting a low shot past Andre Onana. However, as decided prior, a penalty shoot-out was to happen regardless of the result. Luckily for the United fans, the Red Devils were able to pull through.
Before the match, Ten Hag stressed the importance of squad depth, saying that even with the talent at his disposal, there is still some catching up left to do.
“Of course, the quality we have, but in the depth we have to catch up. And even more, because this will be a season that is survival of the fittest,” he said.
And indeed, for the Dutchman, fitness is a huge concern.
More than 24 hours have now passed, and there are still no updates regarding Hojlund and Yoro. But there is optimism for the team, as Victor Lindelof looks set to play against Real Betis after missing the first three friendly fixtures.
Several Red Devils are also out of the lineup (those who competed at the Euros and Copa America), whilst Joshua Zirkzee won’t be flying to America anytime soon.
But even with injury concerns, SBOTOP Club Friendly 2024 odds are still comfortable that the English side can take this win against their Spanish foes.
Manuel Pellegrini’s green and white crew
Los Verdiblancos aren’t strangers to facing English clubs. They have fought 21 times against English opposition in the past and have won on seven occasions. In recent times, the club from Seville have managed to qualify for European competition for four years in succession, dating back to 2020/21 season.
They also won the Copa del Rey in 2022 after beating Valencia in a penalty shoot-out.
So far, Real Betis have split both of their friendly matches to start, battering SV Austria Salzburg (1-5) and losing to Liverpool (1-0).
History
Both sides have only met three times—twice in a competitive setting, and once in a friendly match.
Their most notable meeting was when Manchester United dominated Real Betis (4-1) in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 outing. Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Antony and Wout Weghorst netted the goals for United during that win.
United were also the victors in the reverse fixture, with Marcus Rashford scoring a stunner to push the Red Devils to the quarter-final.
Real Betis only got the best out of United in a 1-0 pre-season win back in 2022.
Both United and Betis fans should tune in to this upcoming match, as it promises a bunch of Club Friendly 2024 highlights, similar to their previous meetings in the past.
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