Self-confessed Manchester Metropolis fan Manuel Pellegrini says he couldn’t consider Manchester United misplaced 7-0 to Liverpool on Sunday.
Actual Betis boss Pellegrini will lead his facet towards United in Thursday’s Europa League last-16 first leg at Outdated Trafford.
The 69-year-old Chilean spent three seasons answerable for Metropolis between 2013 and 2016.
“It actually was unbelievable,” he mentioned of United’s defeat at Anfield.
Pellegrini watched the primary half of the sport earlier than he had to focus on his personal facet’s encounter with Actual Madrid, which they drew 0-0.
“I missed the opposite six targets however I understood instantly what would occur,” he mentioned.
“Due to the rivalry [with Liverpool] and this quantity of targets, I knew it might not be straightforward for them.
“However I used to be not very unhappy about what occurred. I’m a Man Metropolis fan as properly.”
Pellegrini gained three of his six conferences with United as Metropolis boss, together with a 3-0 triumph at Outdated Trafford in 2014.
His Betis facet, who’re fifth in La Liga, topped their Europa League group, whereas United reached the final 16 by beating Barcelona 4-3 on mixture within the play-off spherical.
United’s final 5 European campaigns have ended with defeat to Spanish opposition – they usually additionally misplaced to Actual Sociedad in September within the group stage.
“I can’t know what they suppose but when Actual Sociedad can do it, we will beat Manchester United additionally,” added Pellegrini.
United shall be with out midfielder Marcel Sabitzer and striker Anthony Martial for Thursday’s recreation.
Sabitzer got here off the bench in Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool however has been dominated out of the European tie.
Martial has been out for over a month and is again in coaching however not but able to return to first-team motion.
Midfielders Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek are long-term absentees.
“For the remaining, everybody is offered and we’re prepared for the sport,” mentioned United boss Erik ten Hag.
Actual Betis are with out star ahead Nabil Fekir, who has been dominated out for the remainder of the season with a knee damage.
