MANCHESTER UNITED would have to win the league, Champions League next season and the Boat Race to make it up to their fans after their utterly shameful 7-0 capitulation to Liverpool on Sunday.
Erk ten Hag's side begin life post-Anfield humiliation with a first leg Round of 16 Europa League tie with La Liga stalwarts Real Betis on Thursday and it will be fascinating to see what kind of a reaction he gets to Sunday's disaster.
The damage to a United side who were flying high and many had backed to win on Merseyside must run deep and winning this trophy would be the very least their shellshocked fans would expect now.
But they face a Betis side in decent form after three La Liga wins in a row over Almeria, Valladolid and Elche before they held Real Madrid to a goalless draw at the weekend.
The Seville outfit are absolutely no mugs and sit fifth in the table. They won five of their six games in the group stage including an impressive 2-1 away win in Italy against Jose Mourinho's Roma.
United's enthralling win over Barcelona in the last round must seem like a distant memory to their fans and they won't be helped by Casemiro being a doubt.
How the bookies view it
It's as if Sunday never happened on Planet Bookies with United very short at a general 2/5 with William Hill.
Betis are available at 7/1 with bet365 and the draw is 18/5 with Betfred.
Recent head to heads
The clubs have never met.
Players to watch
Marcus Rashford was being talked about as one of the world's best players before the weekend after an outstanding season, but even he was powerless at Anfield. He is 39/40 with SBK to score anytime on Thursday.
Borja Iglesias has scored ten goals this season but surprisingly none of those have come in Europe. He is 3/1 to change that this week with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
You would surely expect United to come out with all guns blazing here to try and appease some of the anger and retribution that will be swirling around Old Trafford and if they can beat Barcelona, by rights they should be too strong for Betis, although certainly not at their chunky odds-on price.
They are not guaranteed to win this, but a fast start should see them take the lead going into the interval at 20/21 with Coral.
Betis usually have goals in them. Prior to that goalless draw with Real Madrid, there had been 23 goals in their last five games scored and conceded.
With United's defence surely at a low, confidence-wise, go for the 27/20 with 10bet on both teams to score and over 2.5 goals on Thursday.
This UEFA Europa League match between Manchester United and Real Betis will be played on Mar 9, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester United vs Real Betis prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
