Real Betis set for huge boost ahead of Man Utd clash as La Liga side announce their travelling squad

Real Betis are set for a huge boost when they take on Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday, with a returning star named in their travelling squad.

The first leg of the last 16 tie between the two sides takes place at Old Trafford, with the return leg hosted by Betis at their Benito Villamarin Stadium.

Manuel Pellegrini's side are yet to lose a game in this season's competition, winning five and drawing one of their six group stage games as they topped Group C ahead of Roma.

But Betis did suffer a significant blow ahead of the fixture, with the club announcing that influential attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which will rule him out for the rest of the season.

Attention quickly turned to who could replace the Frenchman, but the selection was said to potentially depending on other injury concerns.

In a major boost to the Spanish giants, however, one of those injury concerns has been lifted.

Real Betis name travelling squad vs Man Utd

Betis have been able to name star midfielder Sergio Canales in their squad to take on United, with the Spaniard having missed the last two games through injury.

The club captain is a key player for Pellegrini's side, and has racked up six goals in all competitions this term.

The creative midfielder could be the ideal replacement for Fekir in the Betis line-up if he is declared fit to start the game, although the Spanish side may opt to proceed with caution when it comes to reintroducing Canales into the side.

But his creativity and leadership skills, as well as goalscoring ability, will be a valuable - and timely - boost for Betis as they look to record a positive result at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

Pellegrini has never conceded a goal against United in four European matches against them, and will hope to keep that particular record going.