Real Betis will be boosted by the return of Sergio Canales for their Europa League clash at Manchester United, according to reports in Spain.
United welcome the Spanish side to Old Trafford for the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday evening, desperate to move on from Sunday's 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool. Erik ten Hag's side collapsed in a humbling night at Anfield, conceding six goals in the second half, but can make use of the quick turnaround in fixtures to redeem themselves.
In Manuel Pellegrini's Betis, they face a side currently fifth in La Liga after a 0-0 draw at home to Real Madrid on Sunday and still hopeful of securing a Champions League place come June. Los Verdiblancos topped their Europa League group before the winter break and have been in good form with three consecutive wins before Sunday's stalemate.
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And according to Spanish outlet Marca, the Sevilla-based side will be boosted by the return of veteran attacking midfielder Canales. The 32-year-old had missed the last two games, with Pellegrini opting not to risk him in Sunday's game against Madrid, but a return to full training at the start of this week will be sufficient in booking his place on the flight to Manchester.
Canales had been a near ever-present in the Betis side up until his injury, with six goals and two assists in 28 matches across all competitions - his 2,143 minutes is the most of any player in green and white. Pellegrini will no doubt be minded to throw the former Spain international right back into the mix as he looks forward to facing an old rival in United.
“From when I started work here I have felt proud of my players," the former Manchester City boss said after his side's draw with Madrid. "We have put together campaigns that people didn’t expect. They all want to play, and during the week, we work with different teams, there is no A or B team. We play with formations and with the importance of changes, thinking only about that game.
“Now we go up against Manchester United and I hope we can have a very good game there as well.”
Betis will be without another of their most creative players in Nabil Fekir, however, with the Frenchman having undergone surgery on a knee issue which will keep him out for the rest of the season.
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