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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

'Big call!' - Manchester United fans react to bold Erik ten Hag decision vs Real Betis

Erik ten Hag has named his starting line-up for the first-leg of Manchester United's Europa League last-16 showdown with Real Betis at Old Trafford this evening.

United, who have never faced the Spanish side in a competitive fixture, will be determined to get back to winning ways following Sunday's 7-0 battering against Liverpool at Anfield. After trailing 1-0 at half-time, the Reds capitulated in the second half, conceding six times without reply to mark their heaviest defeat in almost 100 years.

It means that Ten Hag will be determined to see a strong reaction and much-improved performance from his side, as they look to put one foot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. The Dutchman, surprisingly, has opted to name the same line-up as the one that started at Anfield.

READ MORE: United vs Real Betis LIVE

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho were among those expected to be in contention for a starting berth, but Ten Hag has refused to tinker.

Meanwhile, the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Elanga and Facundo Pellistri have been named among the substitutes. However, Marcel Sabitzer, Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial are among those who miss out through injury.

Having made the decision to make no changes to the side that was hammered on Sunday, Ten Hag will be hoping it has the desired impact, as his side aims to extend their unbeaten run at home to 20 matches. It is the Dutchman's decision to stick with what started at Anfield that has attracted the most attention from United's supporters in the immediate aftermath of the team news being confirmed.

Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what some of United's supporters have had to say in response to Ten Hag's refusal to make alternations:

As you can see from the messages displayed in the tweets above, Ten Hag's decision to stick with the same side that was battered by Liverpool has, though it has generated some surprise, attracted praise from some supporters. They believe Ten Hag is right to demand a response from those who badly let the club down against Liverpool.

United starting line-up: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes; Antony, Weghorst, Rashford.

Substitutes: Heaton, Butland, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia, McTominay, Mainoo, Pellistri, Elanga, Garnacho, Sancho.

This evening's contest kicks-off at 8:00pm and you can follow all of the action on our live matchday blog, which you can access by clicking here.

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