Erik ten Hag again used the occasion to give game-time to more than 20 members of his travelling squad, but made only two changes to his starting XI as David De Gea played the first half in goal and Academy midfielder Isak Hansen-Aaroen replaced Donny van de Beek, who was initially selected, in the no.10 role.
The sides were only separated by one strike, registered by Nabil Fekir - a World Cup winner with France in 2018 - in the fourth minute of the second period as the various half-time substitutes settled into the contest.
FIRST HALF
Brandon Williams was involved in the thick of the early action, clearing a shot from Rodri when Real Betis nicked the ball off Scott McTominay and threatened to emulate Cadiz with a goal inside the first eight minutes.