Manchester United take on Real Betis on 1st August from 7:30 AM IST at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California as their fourth pre-season fixture. The Red Devils have had a mixed bag of results in pre-season so far and will look to get some form going before they take on Liverpool in their last preseason game in the United States.
United comes into the clash having won just one game in pre-season so far, and having suffered injuries to critical players in their loss at the hands of Arsenal. However, the game did end on a positive note for Erik ten Hag’s side as they won 4-3 in the penalties which was just done for entertainment value.
According to their Dutch manager, “We scored a very good goal, a very good ball in behind from (Marcus) Rashford and then (Rasmus) Hojlund with a very good move and a finish, I was very pleased. We also created some more good chances and we then conceded the goal which was offside.”
The Red Devils have been busy in the transfer market and with talks to build a new 100,000 seater stadium ongoing, the pressure is on Ten Hag to deliver the goods this season, especially in the Premier League where he recorded one of United’s campaigns in Premier League history last season- recording their second-fewest points with 60, their most goals conceded with 58 and finishing in their lowest-ever position in eighth.
Real Betis on the other hand will play their third pre-season friendly out of the seven they are supposed to feature in. They are coming off a narrow loss to Liverpool in what was Arne Slot’s first managerial appearance in front of doting Reds in Pittsburgh. The Spanish side is going through the motions in the pre-season as well and will look to make their presence felt against the English team.
The onus for the Greens this season will definitely be to close the gap on the top 4 in La Liga where they could finish a distant seventh only last season.
Current Form
The FA Cup champions are coming into the clash on the back of a 2-1 loss to Arsenal in regular time. Rasmus Hojlund was making his first appearance of the summer, having missed the team’s first two friendlies against Rosenborg and Rangers due to his involvement for Denmark at Euro 2024.
The striker was on the scoresheet in the 10th minute of the clash with Arsenal, as he made the perfect start to his pre-season, but the team’s number nine was forced off in the 16th minute with an apparent hamstring issue.
It was Arsenal who struck the next blow, though, as Gabriel Jesus profited from the absence of VAR to poke home an equaliser. The Gunners eventually found the winner nine minutes from the end of time as Gabriel Martinelli weaved past James Scanlon in the right-back area and tucked a low shot inside the left-hand post.
Real Betis are coming off a 0-1 loss at the hands of Liverpool in a game which saw Dominik Szoboszlai score the winner in the 34th minute. For Betis, striker Juanmi missed multiple chances which could be a concern for manager Manuel Pellegrini. They did win their first preseason clash against Austria Salzburg 5-1 though.
Head to Head Record
The two teams have faced each other just twice in competitive football – in the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League.
Manchester United won the first leg of the Round of 16 at Old Trafford 4-1 with Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruni Fernandes and Wout Weghorst all finding the back of the net while Ayoze Perez scored a consolation goal. In the away leg, Rashford was on song again as United ran away with a 0-1 victory.
Team News
Isco’s calf bone fracture caused him to miss out on UEFA Euro 2024
For United, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Facundo Pellistri, and Luke Shaw are all on holiday due to their extended involvement for their national sides in the summer.
New signing Joshua Zirkzee also did not make the trip due to his involvement with the Netherlands squad in Euro 2024, meaning the striker will join up with the side upon their return to Carrington.
Leny Yoro and Hojlund were both forced off with injuries in the aforementioned defeat to Arsenal last time out, and neither are expected to feature for the remainder of the pre-season.
Betis will be without Ayoze Perez, German Pezzella and Johnny Cardoso due to their involvement in international tournaments, while Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Juan Miranda are competing at the Olympics.
Last season’s star performer, Isco, suffered an ankle injury in May that ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign, and the midfielder is unlikely to feature until later this month.
Predicted Starting XIs
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Andre Onana; Habeeb Ogunneye, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Harry Amass; Casemiro, Toby Collyer; Amad Diallo, Mason Mount, Jadon Sancho; Marcus Rashford
Real Betis (4-4-1-1): Rui Silva; Youssouf Sabaly, Diego Llorente, Nobel Mendy, Romain Perraud; Pablo Fornals, Sergi Altimira, William Carvalho, Juanmi; Nabil Fekir; Marcos Fernández Sánchez
Prediction
Despite not having the best of pre-seasons so far, it is impossible not to see Manchester United as favorites for this tie. Given the fact that reports today have emerged that Hojlund may be able to still make an appearance, it is likely that Ten Hag’s men will have the last laugh.