THE NOTEBOOK: Scholes is not convinced by captain Fernandes, Ten Hag sends message with same XI
THE NOTEBOOK: Paul Scholes not convinced Bruno Fernandes should captain, Erik ten Hag tells players to clean up their own mess after Anfield debacle… and more misery for former Manchester City goalkeeper claudio bravo
Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst scored to lift Manchester United to a resounding 4-1 win over Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 match on Thursday, four days after their 7-0 loss to Liverpool. .
Rashford scored his 25th goal of the season in the fifth minute but Ayoze Pérez, on loan from Leicester City, scored his first Betis goal in the 32nd minute.
Brazil winger Antony put United ahead on 52 minutes, firing a tremendous left-footed shot from outside the box into the top corner and six minutes later, Fernandes shrugged off scathing criticism he received as captain after Sunday’s poor performance with one goal the header in a corner at the fingertips of the Betis goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo.
Weghorst finally got his goal in the 82nd minute after missing numerous chances, heading the ball into the net after a cutback by substitute Facundo Pellistri.
Sportsmail’s CHRIS WHEELER takes a look at some of the things you may have missed.
Paul Scholes raised doubts about Bruno Fernandes as captain despite his impressive performance
Scholes is not convinced by Bruno
Not everyone shared Erik ten Hag’s view that Bruno Fernandes is captain material following his histrionics in a 7-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.
Paul Scholes knows a thing or two about playing with strong leaders at Manchester United, and he’s not so convinced that Fernandes should get the job permanently if Harry Maguire leaves Old Trafford this summer.
“Your captain has to be an influence, a leader, calm down characters like him (Fernandes),” Scholes told BT Sport.
“I would worry if United go for the title in March or April. I don’t think having him as captain is ideal. In the future, bigger games, in search of trophies, Champions League finals, a less emotional captain might be better. He won’t be proud of what happened on Sunday.
XI himself said to make peace
Ten Hag’s decision to name an unchanged squad sent a clear message to the players who capitulated so disastrously at Anfield: you got us into this mess, now get us out of it.
“Of course they have the chance to rehabilitate themselves,” the United manager said before kick-off.
Ten Hag, who emerged from the tunnel wearing a knit cap when a tin helmet might have felt more appropriate, added in his match program notes: “It is not acceptable for Manchester United to lose to any team in that way, and especially not for Liverpool.The players have been left in no doubt that we cannot tolerate what we saw in the second half on Sunday.
Joaquin rolls back the years
Age is just a number for Joaquín, who played in the 2002 World Cup for Spain.
The 41-year-old was captain of Real Betis and was everywhere, playing the role of number 10, as can be seen on his touch map.
It was his 18th game of the season.
The Spaniard began his professional career in 1999, the same year United won the treble under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Unhappy return of Bravo
Claudio Bravo had a difficult time at Manchester City after Pep Guardiola signed him to replace Joe Hart in the summer of 2016.
The Chilean’s return to the Northwest was not much better, as he was thrashed four times at Old Trafford in a night to forget.
Real Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was thrashed four times at Old Trafford in a night to forget
deep freeze
You had to think of visitors from southern Spain.
Seville is enjoying highs in the mid-20s this week, but was a degree above freezing at the start here.
At least Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini will have been well prepared after three years at Manchester City.
