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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Richard Fay

What Erik ten Hag told Manchester United players at half-time of Real Betis win

Erik ten Hag urged his Manchester United players to take more control of the ball in the second-half of their Europa League win over Real Betis.

United booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 1-0 win in Spain on Thursday night, a week after they had beaten Betis 4-1 at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag's side were always heavy favourites to make it through to the last eight of the competition, but faced a few scares in the early stages of the second-leg.

Read next: How the United players rated vs Betis

United were fortunate not to be punished for some poor defending in the first-half but responded in style with a much better second-half showing.

Marcus Rashford's wonder strike capped an improved performance with the win, and afterwards, Ten Hag explained what he changed during the break.

"I think we could have gone into the lead, but there were some moments in defence and defensive transition where they could break, we had to avoid that," he told BT Sport.

"To keep more control on the ball, to use the overload in the midfield, we didn't always do it. The second half was much better. You see also the energy is out of the opponent and especially after you get the first goal.

"I think second-half we were much better on the ball, much more calm, keep the ball in the opposition half, let them run, and then you see, you create chances."

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