Erik ten Hag praises Marcus Rashford's 'focus' after stunning goal against Betis

Forward's 25th goal for United in Europe earned a 1-0 win and passage through to the Europa League quarter-finals.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, right, speaks to goalscorer Marcus Rashford after the game against Real Betis. Getty

Erik ten Hag praised Marcus Rashford's perseverance and quality as the in-form striker bagged the only goal against Real Betis to seal Manchester United's place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

United travelled to Seville with one foot already in the draw after demolishing the Spanish side 4-1 at home in last week's first leg.

Betis made life difficult for United during the first half at a raucous Estadio Benito Villamarin, which was silenced in the 55th minute when Rashford rifled home from 25 yards.

Rashford's stunner came minutes after he had uncharacteristically blazed over a glorious chance, but his manager praised the England star for maintaining his composure.

“The team was creating some chances,” Ten Hag said. “Rashy had some chances before and he missed some but he kept his belief, he kept trying, and got his reward.

“All good strikers know that not every chance you will get a goal but at this level, you don’t create five or six chances in a game so one of the two has to be in."

REAL BETIS RATINGS: Rui Silva – 6 Preferred to Claudio Bravo after the Chilean’s shaky first leg performance. Showed solid command and handling without facing a first-half shot on target, but made decent one-on-one saves from Rashford and Sabitzer in the second half. Exposed and beaten from distance by the ferocity of the England star’s winner. AFP

Youssouf Sabaly – 7 Pushed forward down the right as Betis looked to make early inroads into the aggregate deficit. Front-foot defending from the off, though that did leave gaps which United failed to exploit, but overall showed himself to be a fruitful attacking outlet and never stopped grafting. AP

German Pezzella – 6 Had to step up without the injured Luis Felipe alongside him and promptly did so, imposing himself throughout and making one hugely enjoyable first-half challenge on Malacia. Giddiness got the better of him when needlessly tangling with Rashford and he struggled to deal with United’s growing attacking presence. AP

Edgar Gonzalez – 5 Looked ring-rusty at times on his return in place of Luiz Felipe, not least with a slow reaction to Pellistri’s shot against the post in first-half injury-time. Uncomfortable in the face of United’s pacey counter-attacks as the visitors steadily took control of the game. AFP

Abner Vinicius – 5 Went up against Pellistri after an enjoyable duel with Antony at Old Trafford, but was unable to relish the new challenge for long as he picked up a groin injury which curtailed his involvement before the half-hour. PA

William Carvalho – 6 The standard tidy contribution from the ever-consistent Portuguese midfielder. A combative, quick-thinking display littered with a spate of well-timed nicks and interceptions. Provided the platform for Betis to foster hope of an unlikely comeback in the first half – though arguably a little slow to close down Rashford for the goal. Getty

Guido Rodriguez – 6 Quietly industrious as ever, invariably occupying the right positions at the right times. Caught Fernandes with one follow-through which went unchecked and made sure United were unable to build attacking rhythm in the first half, but found himself increasingly overrun as ten Hag’s side took charge. PA

Aitor Ruibal – 5 A change to the first leg, coming in for Luiz Henrique, and was inconsistent in his involvement. Showed some neat touches but misjudged his distribution more than once, most notably overhitting a cross from a very promising position shortly before half-time, and an unsurprising withdrawal early in the second half. Reuters

Joaquin – 6 The ageless Betis legend was more involved in the second leg, starting both halves in lively form. Took just 10 minutes to curl a long-ranger against the outside of the United post and a few seconds after the interval to blaze over. The pace of the game made it difficult for him to sustain involvement and he was withdrawn before the hour. AFP

Juanmi – 6 Failed to sparkle at Old Trafford but was in the thick of the action this time, rolling a glorious early chance past the upright and succumbing to De Gea in a one-on-one just after the half-hour. Lively and could have been a hero with better finishing, but was hooked after Rashford struck. Reuters

Ayoze Perez – 6 Led the line again, just as he did at Old Trafford, but United had a better handle on him this time. Intelligent link-play early on, releasing Juanmi for the hosts’ first real chance, but faded in influence in the first period. Had a sharp header well saved by De Gea before making way. AFP

SUBS: Juan Miranda (Abner Vinicius, 26) – 4 Handed an unexpectedly early involvement when Abner Vinicius pulled up, and struggled to get to grips with the lively Pellistri. AP

Sergio Canales (Joaquin, 59) - 4 Given half-an-hour to produce a miraculous turnaround, but never grew into the game and had no say in events. AP

Borja Iglesias (Aitor Ruibal, 59) - 4 Will wonder if he could have done more if trusted to start, but had little impact during his half-hour in a deflated Betis side. Couldn’t find a way past Maguire. AFP

Andres Guardado (Guido Rodriguez, 66) - 5 A tidy but uneventful cameo with the outcome already long-assured. EPA

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 7 Comfortable in his homeland. Weak ball towards Wan-Bissaka raised the crowd after a minute. Super 10th minute save from Juanmi and again from the striker on 31. Booed for taking his time. EPA

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6 His fortunes are far brighter than his last visit to Betis in December with United. Defended, got forward, final ball sometimes questionable. Getty

Harry Maguire - 7 Played well. Headed a seventh minute corner towards Weghorst and solid in soaking up the Betis attacks in his first European game since September. AFP

Lisandro Martinez - 7 Cut out a 13th minute Betis attack as the loud crowd sang ‘Yes we can!’ Positioned well to stop another green attack on 37 and performed well alongside Maguire. AFP

Tyrell Malacia - 6 Pushed high left and crossed after 25, but twice dribbled back towards De Gea in the first half as he had no options. Conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position on 40. Better in the second half. AP

Casemiro - 7 Back against the team he played his last Real Madrid league game against, he was flipped in a challenge by Joaquin in the first half, then set up Rashford for the goal. PA

Fred - 7 Ball into Rashford on 20 and got into advanced positions. Excellent interception on 38 and brought off after an hour – so he’ll start v Fulham on Sunday in the FA Cup. Reuters

Facundo Pellistri - 7 Neat and controlled in the first half. Shot towards goal on 45, set up a 52nd minute attack despite being chased down by Beticos. Booked, harshly. Sent Sancho clear on 80. Impressive and got better. Deservedly praised by his manager. AFP

Bruno Fernandes - 7 Fiery. Involved as ever, he set up Rashford on 22. Tried long balls into the box. Playing so much football but doesn’t look fatigued with it. AFP

Marcus Rashford - 7 Super goal from distance into the bottom corner with the outside of his right foot – and that was his job done. Before that, it was a mixed bag. Overhit an early pass, directed a 20th minute Fred cross towards goal, twice muscled off the ball by Carvalho. Spun past Ruibal and had two excellent chances to score, the first well saved, the second sliced over. AP

Wout Weghorst - 5 Focal point and missed with a ball which struck the post just before half time. Weak shot on target after 69 and still a striker who doesn’t score enough. AP

SUBS: Jadon Sancho - 6 On for Rashford on 60. Through with only the goalkeeper to beat on 70 and Elanga clear to his left. He took a shot which was saved, but the linesman flagged for offside. Getty

Marcel Sabitzer - 5 On for Fred after 60. Combative. Getty

Anthony Elanga - 5 On for Fernandes on 68, replacing the man who was a booking away from missing the quarter finals. Limited impact. AP

Victor Lindelof - 6 On for Martinez after 74 after Ten Hag brought off some of the players he’s used most. Reuters

Diogo Dalot - N/R On for Wan Bissaka after 74. Got into space to make a cross. PA

Rashford’s 25th United goal in major European competitions was his 19th in 24 matches since returning from the World Cup.

Ten Hag added: “If he keeps the focus, and makes sure he has the energy, the way, and the way he has to play in that system and style, he will get in scoring positions and then it’s about him, he has the ability to finish.”

Ten Hag gave 21-year-old Uruguay winger Facundo Pellistri his first United start since joining the club from Penarol in October 2020 and the Dutchman was impressed by what he saw.

“I think he deserved to come in,” Ten Hag said of Pellistri, who had only made six substitute appearances before Thursday.

“He had a good training performance, you see him progressing, getting stronger, good game against Leeds, against Betis.

“To start is more difficult, we have seen that, but when the game goes on he came in and got belief, you see his abilities.

“He had some good dribbles, good runs in behind, and some good crosses, defending he did his job, so I am pretty pleased with his performance.

“For him it is a step up. Now it’s up to him, to get rhythm and contribute to the team.”

The draw for the Europa league quarter-finals takes place on Friday.

Facundo Pellistri, left, was making his first start for Manchester United. Getty Images