Maguire: We put on a professional display

After a 4-1 win in the first leg seven days ago, a sublime Marcus Rashford strike was the difference this time around in in Seville, as Erik ten Hag’s men secured a second-leg victory away from home.

Maguire partnered Lisandro Martinez at the heart of our defence, and it was a strong display from our backline to keep out a Betis side that, like last week at Old Trafford, started brightly.

“I think it was a good performance,” the skipper told MUTV. “We talked about how important the first goal was, once we got that, we controlled the game thoroughly.” 

“We knew they’d come out and throw absolutely everything at us for 20 minutes and play at a ridiculous intensity that we had to match, and I felt like we did that at times. 

“They’re a good team, they’re fifth in La Liga and challenging for Champions League spots. 

“The lads performed really, really well in the second half at Old Trafford last week and put us in a really good position to come here and put on a professional display, and I think that is what you can call it.’ 

Maguire spoke of the importance of getting through a testing opening 20 minutes at Estadio Benito Villamarin, during which Manuel Pellegrini's side put the Reds under plenty of pressure.

“We expected a fast start from them and we knew if we didn’t concede in that 20 minutes, it would be a big part of the game,” Maguire added, speaking to BT Sport. 

“We conceded a few chances, were a bit sloppy with the ball, which they capitalised on, but we had chances ourselves and it could have been a couple of goals each in the first 20 minutes.”

But the Reds held out for a 1-0 win on the night in Andalusia and 5-1 trumph on aggregate. Now, our attention turns to Sunday, when we will take on Fulham in the quarter finals of the FA Cup. 

“It’s one last big push for us as a group of players [before the international break],” our no.5 told club media. 

“[It's a] big game, FA Cup, quarter-final, Old Trafford; it’s going to be an unbelievable atmosphere, we know that, and it’s one that we’ve got to prepare for. 

“[We] recover now and make sure we’re ready, and we will be.”