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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Dan Brown

Marcus Rashford explains how fixture schedule can help Manchester United refocus

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has admitted he is pleased about the hectic fixture schedule as it provides the Reds with plenty of opportunities to return to form.

Erik ten Hag's side were thrashed 7-0 by Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, so United will be desperate to return to winning ways when they face Real Betis on Thursday night. The Reds welcome the Spanish outfit to Old Trafford for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

It will be the first time that United have come up against Betis in competitive action, although the two sides did clash in a friendly match during the World Cup break. Ten Hag's men will have played six times this month by the end of March, and while it is clearly a test for the players, Rashford spoke positively about the busy period.

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The attacker will be keen to add more goals to his current tally, with the England international having registered 25 goals and nine assists in all competitions this term.

"Your next opportunity to almost redeem yourself as an individual and as a team is the next game," he told club media. "For me, whenever we do lose a game, you just want to be back out on the pitch as quickly as possible. We have to be grateful that we get the opportunity to redeem ourselves and we have to try to take that with both hands."

The 25-year-old also insisted that he was relishing the chance to get back to winning ways, with the clash against Betis being the Reds' first fixture following the disappointing defeat at Liverpool on Sunday.

Rashford was not afraid to discuss the pain he felt following the loss at Anfield, but the academy graduate is keen to kick on as Ten Hag's men hunt more trophies this season.

He added: "It's obviously going to be a massive challenge. We expect them [Real Betis] like most Spanish teams to be comfortable on the ball, comfortable in possession. They are going to bring the game to us and they have been in form at the moment in La Liga.

"It's going to hopefully be an exciting game, but we need to do our best to put ourselves in a good position for the tie."

Betis won 1-0 in the mid-season friendly during the World Cup break, with Nabil Fekir - who is now out for the season with an injury - scoring the only goal of the game.

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