Real Betis star Nabil Fekir has been ruled out for the rest of the season ahead of their Europa League tie with Manchester United.
Fekir, who infamously came close to signing for Liverpool in a failed £53million transfer deal almost five years ago, has suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury for the second time in his career. The French midfielder, 29, is one of Betis' most important players and has performed well for Manuel Pellegrini 's side in Europe ahead of the round-of-16 clash which he'll now miss.
Having first damaged the ACL on his right knee while playing for Lyon in 2015, the World Cup -winning playmaker went down clutching his left during Betis' chaotic 3-2 comeback victory over eight-man Elche last Friday. After playing through the pain to help his side score a 95th-minute winner and keep themselves well in the hunt for a top-four finish in LaLiga, it emerged on Monday that Fekir would be forced to undergo surgery and miss the remainder of what's been a strong campaign for the Seville-based club.
The 29-year-old notably scored the only goal of the game when United travelled to Betis for a mid-season friendly back in December, as the two teams squared off at the Estadio Benito Villamarin during the World Cup. They'll meet again in southern Spain on Thursday, March 16, one week after the first leg at Old Trafford.
Although Erik ten Hag will take no pleasure in hearing about such a crushing injury, there's no doubt that it weakens Betis and reaffirms their role as underdogs. United would've been confident facing any opposition, though, having ousted fellow LaLiga outfit Barcelona in the play-off round.
After drawing 2-2 at the Camp Nou in a game which they felt aggrieved not to have won, the Red Devils returned home and pulled off a 2-1 win. Robert Lewandowski had put Barca in front after just 18 minutes, but second-half goals from Fred and Antony turned the tie on its head.
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Four days later, United won the first trophy of Ten Hag's era, and he's already targeting the next one which could well be at Betis' expense. "We know the importance of silverware throughout the history of this great club," the Dutchman wrote in an open letter to supporters.
"We are so happy to bring the trophy back to Old Trafford but we are by no means satisfied and we will not stop here. Together we have experienced the feeling of what it means to win together for Manchester United. It is truly magnificent and will only make each of us hungrier for more success."
