Erik ten Hag has shared his thoughts on Real Betis as Manchester United prepare to face them in the Europa League last 16.
United beat Barcelona on Thursday night to set up the clash against another La Liga side as they attempt to seal a place in the quarter-finals.
The Red Devils faced Real Betis in a friendly during the Qatar World Cup, which the Spanish club won 1-0 against an experimental United team.
But Ten Hag’s side – who have looked impressive since the domestic season restarted – will head into the meeting as strong favourites.
‘I just heard and we played them in the pre-season after the winter break, and you know what you get from Spanish football,’ Ten Hag told the United website.
‘We faced it yesterday. It is a playing team, a skilful team, so we will have to play our best.
‘We also played Real Sociedad [in the group stages] this season and so we know, only when you play your best, you have a chance to survive and to get into the next round.
‘So, we will go deeper when we face them. First we have to put the energy and the focus into the next games, and games [after that].
‘First we have the Carabao Cup [final], the FA Cup and then the Premier League.’
Speaking after the 2-1 win over Barcelona in the previous round at Old Trafford on Thursday, Ten Hag added: ‘The Europa League? We don’t dream about European trophies. That’s far ahead.
‘On Sunday, we have a great opportunity to win a trophy [against Newcastle United].
‘We will give everything to win that trophy. From now on, our focus is on that game.
‘It doesn’t matter to me [about the draw]. I focus on Newcastle United, it is the only thing that counts.’
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