Man United's manager Erik Ten Hag has defended Marcus Rashford after the 25-year-old squandered a couple of Manchester United's best chances against Real Betis before he eventually scored from 30 yards, unleashing a powerful rocket to the bottom corner of the Real Betis post.
In a game where Erik Ten Hag's side started off slowly, Man United still managed to create goal scoring opportunities, so the Real Betis goalkeeper made stunning saves to keep the chances out. However, Man United wasted some chances, with Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst being culprits.
While Wout Weghorst failed to connect properly with Facundo Pellistri's low cross, Marcus Rashford wasted the Red Devils' best chance after he was played through by Bruno Fernandes in a one-on-one situation with the opponent's goalkeeper. The 25-year-old fired the ball over the bar. He was as shocked and angry as the traveling fans.
However, he made amends later with a power shot from 30 yards outside the box. It was Casemiro who picked him out with a long-range pass. The England international had enough space and plenty of time to set up the ball and fire a knuckle-esque ball beyond the Real Betis goalie's reach to seal Manchester United's progression into the Europa League quarterfinals.
Speaking at his post-match interview at fulltime, Erik Ten Hag indicated that the striker's mentality helped him to deal with the feeling of missing those goalscoring chances and eventually got on the scoresheet.
"I think he missed two big chances, but then he can deal with that," Erik Ten Hag told the club's official website.
"It is important for a striker to deal with the fact that not every chance can be a goal." He will always be in a position to score, and he has to be focused on that. "He keeps trying, and he got his reward."
"It tells you something about the team's performance and something about him [his goal record]." We have discussed a lot about the issue since the start of the season: if Rashy keeps his focus and makes sure he has the energy, the way we play, and the way he has to play in that system and style, he will come into scoring positions, and then it's about him. "He has the abilities to finish," he said.
"That's what I try to explain [to you]; also, good strikers must know not every chance is a goal." "On this level, you don't create five or six chances in a top game, so one of the two [chances] has to be in," he explained.
The manager was happy with the team's general performance and hailed his side after recording another victory over a Spanish team.
"It was another step we made in mentality." a winning attitude and how to deal with that [away crowd]. We performed now three times quite well in away games in Spain. Two wins and one draw. "That is okay, but I think that is the way you have to face these games," he explained.
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