Manchester United have one foot in the Europa League quarter-finals ahead of their second-leg clash with Real Betis tomorrow night.
Following the 7-0 defeat against Liverpool, United responded fantastically, with goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst securing a 4-1 win over Real Betis in their Europa League Round of 16 first-leg clash. Now, United travel to Spain to face Betis who will need to beat United by four goals if they want to qualify.
Erik ten Hag's side enter the game against Betis on the back of a 0-0 draw with Southampton, where Casemiro received his second red card of the season. The suspension doesn't impact United's Europa League campaign though, with the Brazilian available for selection on Thursday.
READ MORE: United squad vs Betis as two key players miss out
So, can United advance to the next round? We've used FIFA 23 take a look.
Real Betis vs Manchester United score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the respective squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
With the simulation run before news came through of Luiz Felipe's absence through injury, we predicted that hosts could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Bravo; Salaby, Pezzella, Felipe, Abner; Rodriguez, Carvalho; Henrique, Joaquin, Juanmi; Perez.
We predict that United could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes; Rashford; Weghorst.
United started the game well in Spain, with Rashford, Weghorst and Jadon Sancho all seeing golden opportunities go begging in the opening 20 minutes. Betis were failing to deal with United's attacking threat, and Fred put his side ahead just before the break with a well-taken finish.
A mazy run from Fred saw the Brazilian skip past multiple challenges as he approached the box, and a quick one-two with Fernandes allowed the midfielder to find some space in the area. Once a sight of goal opened up, Fred found the top corner with a powerful strike to make it 1-0.
After the restart, the hosts managed to draw level on the night as Juanmi turned the ball into the net after United failed to clear the lines. There was still some way to go for the hosts to complete a comeback on aggregate, but any hope was quickly killed when Harry Maguire regained the lead for United.
After Sancho stung the gloves of Claudio Bravo, United were awarded a corner in the 56th minute. Fernandes sent the set piece towards Maguire at the back post, and the defender towered over his marker before powering a header through the arms of the 'keeper.
United looked dangerous from corners all game, and in the final 10 minutes, Ten Hag's side scored twice from set-pieces to go 4-1 ahead on the night. Similarly to the first goal, a deep Fernandes corner was met by another powerful header from Maguire who grabbed his second of the night.
And, moments later, United grabbed a fourth, this time with Casemiro getting on the scoresheet. Luke Shaw sent the cross towards Casemrio at the front post, and despite being quite far from goal, the Brazilian guided his header into the smallest of gaps and into the top corner to top off a remarkable win.
FIFA 23 predicted score: Real Betis 1-4 Man United (Man United win 8-2 on aggregate)
Here are the full-time match stats:
FIFA 23 predicts that United could produce another fantastic performance against Real Betis, winning 4-1 in the simulation. Corners were the key to victory for United, with three goals coming from the set piece as Ten Hag's side booked their spot in the quarter-finals.
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