Two minutes before eight o’clock local time, the Benito Villamarín rose to its feet and began to applaud, 55,000 Real Betis fans then breaking into song. There was recognition there, and resignation too. Marcus Rashford had just sent an absurd shot spearing past Rui Silva to make him the Europa League’s top scorer and, they knew, take Manchester United through to the next round. They had always suspected as much and now it was confirmed. United were 1-0 up on the night, 5-1 on aggregate and it was done. And so they stood to applaud.
Ultimately, United would be able to ease into the…
