Erik ten Hag will play Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in United’s Europa League clash with Real Betis

Erik ten Hag will play Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in the Europa League last-16 clash with Real Betis despite the risk of both men picking up a ban.

United go into Thursday’s game leading 4-1 from the first leg at Old Trafford last week, but Ten Hag is taking nothing for granted.

Even though Casemiro and Fernandes are one booking away from being suspended for the first leg of the quarter-finals – and the slate is wiped clean by UEFA after this round – the United boss confirmed that both will start at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

‘They will both play because it’s a very good opponent,’ said Ten Hag. ‘Last week we had a good result, but you need your best players.

‘It’s always serious. We will play our best team. Definitely we have to put out a team that can adapt during the game. We know our opponent has really good players and a lot of variations. We have to be ready for that and go and battle with them.’ 

Erik ten Hag will play Casemiro (pictured) and Bruno Fernandes away against Real Betis despite the risk of both men picking up a ban – with each one booking away from suspension

Manchester United lead 4-1 from the first leg but they are taking nothing for granted  

Casemiro already faces a four-match domestic ban following his sending-off against Southampton on Sunday.

Ten Hag was still aggrieved about the red card and some of the other decisions that went against United as he revealed that the ankle injury sustained by Alejandro Garnacho is worse than first thought.

‘It will take weeks, so it’s a serious injury,’ added Ten Hag. ‘Of course it’s difficult. He has to deal with the setback and be back for the end of the season. We can win a lot so he has to be back ready as soon as possible.’ 

Only one team – Valencia against Basle in 2014 – have recovered from a three-goal deficit to win a Europa League tie, and Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini was being realistic on Wednesday.

‘You have to have dreams and ambition, but hand in hand with reality,’ said Pellegrini. 

‘We are up against a Champions League-standard team with a budget six, seven or eight times the size of ours.

‘You have to try from the first minute. If you don’t end up achieving what you want, that is not a failure.’

Erik ten Hag is determined to show Betis respect and that will be evident in his team selection