Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (center) scores his side's third goal during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Manchester United and Real Betis at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, on March 9, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

MANCHESTER, England - Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst scored to lift Manchester United to an emphatic 4-1 win over Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday, four days after their humbling loss to Liverpool.

Erik ten Hag's team, who capitulated 7-0 to their arch-rivals on Sunday, were desperate to bounce back quickly and Casemiro's fifth-minute effort was ruled out for offside.

"I think we played well, the second half especially. 4-1. Good goals. Good performance also to give something to the fans, and they gave us something back as well because they were right behind us," Ten Hag told BT Sport. "Very grateful after Sunday."

Rashford soon scored his 25th goal of the season in all competitions, however, controling a cross from Fernandes and smashing it into the top corner to the delight of Old Trafford fans who braved the chilly temperatures and blowing snow.

"It's a step back in the right direction," Rashford said. "Obviously, we have to build on this now to gain momentum again. We can't put too much emphasis on Sunday, because it's gone, we can't change it."

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Real Betis' Spanish striker Aitor Ruibal (left) vies with Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (right) during the UEFA Europa league round of 16 first leg football match between Manchester United and Real Betis at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north-west England, on March 9, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

Marcus Rashford soon scored his 25th goal of the season in all competitions, controling a cross from Bruno Fernandes and smashing it into the top corner to the delight of Old Trafford fans who braved the chilly temperatures and blowing snow

Ayoze Perez, on loan from Leicester City, netted his first goal for Betis in the 32nd minute. There were questions about a handball in the buildup but VAR officials ruled otherwise.

The home team dominated the second half, and Brazilian winger Antony put United ahead in the 52nd minute, launching a blistering left-foot shot from just outside the box into the top corner.

Six minutes later, Fernandes shrugged off the scathing criticism he received as captain after Sunday's poor performance with a goal to head in a corner off the fingertips of Betis keeper Claudio Bravo.

Weghorst finally got his goal in the 82nd minute after missing numerous chances, steering the ball into the net after a cutback from substitute Facundo Pellistri.

In other first-leg games, Juventus beat SC Freiburg 1-0 and Shakhtar Donetsk drew 1-1 with Feyenoord.

In other first-leg games, Angel Di Maria's goal earned Juventus a 1-0 win over SC Freiburg, Shakhtar Donetsk drew 1-1 with Feyenoord and Joan Jordan and Erik Lamela scored to lead Sevilla to a 2-0 win over Fenerbahce.

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Premier League leaders Arsenal drew 2-2 at Sporting Lisbon and AS Roma beat Spain's Real Sociedad 2-0.

Belgium's Royale Union held Union Berlin to a 3-3 draw in Germany and Bayer Leverkusen defeated Hungary's Ferencvaros 2-0.