Manchester United's Europa League opponents Real Betis held Spanish champions Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw this weekend in their final outing before the round of 16 first leg.
Welcoming Carlo Ancelotti's side to the Estadio Benito Villamarín, Betis did briefly find themselves 1-0 down just 12 minutes into the match, but what the visitors thought was the opening goal of the game was instead disallowed by the video assistant referee after there was adjudged to have been a handball in the build-up to the goal. That was the closest either side came to scoring a legitimate goal on Sunday night, with a point not particularly helping either side's fortunes this season.
Barcelona were the biggest beneficiary as the draw, coupled with the Catalans edging Valencia 1-0 earlier in the afternoon, means that Xavi's side now sit nine points clear of Madrid atop the La Liga standings. For Betis, they remain fifth and just three points adrift of Real Sociedad and the final Champions League spot.
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It also appears that former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini was also able to rest several players somewhat during the match. Former Leicester City player Ayoze Perez and one-cap Spain international Borja Iglesias were withdrawn just after the 70-minute mark, with midfielder William Carvalho following them back to the bench ten minutes later.
Aitor Ruibal and Juan Miranda were also spared the final few minutes of the match. During the day's 7-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, United were able to bring off Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford in the aftermath of the fifth and sixth goals.
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