Erik Ten Hag Slam his players as they eked out an agonizing 1-1 draw with Dutch team FC Twente
Manchester United kicked off their Europa League campaign with a torturous 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening. The Dane Christian Eriksen sent the host into a 1-0 lead early in the first half courtesy of an excellent strike from 15 yards. The Dane quickly switched from Hero to villain as Sam Lammers capitalized on a howler made by Eriksen to slam a thunderbolt past the hapless Andre Onana to make it 1-1. A share of the spoils has left Manchester United outside the top ten with just one game played.
Having lost their first two home matches in the Europa League in 2012, Manchester United have since lost just one of their previous 24 games at Old Trafford in the competition. Captain Bruno Fernandes had a sub-par performance and could have gotten his name on the score sheet if he had his scoring boots on. Since his debut in the competition in February 2018, The Portuguese international has been involved in more goals in the Europa League than any other player (35 – 20 goals, 15 assists). The Red Devils are coming off the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw away at Selhurst Park, where they struggled in front of the goal and were hoping to put in a solid shift in front of goal.
On the other hand, FC Twente was winless in their last seven Europa League games (D4 L3) before yesterday’s game and had their first appearance in the competition since the 2012-13 campaign. Joseph Oosting’s side has won just one of their 13 meetings with English opponents in all competitions (D5 L7), though it was in their most recent match against Fulham in December 2011. The Dutch outfit were originally in the Champions League qualifying stages, but they were knocked out by RB Leipzig 5-4 on aggregate.
Ten Hag made three alterations from United’s draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League. De Ligt was replaced as Martinez’s defensive partner, with Maguire coming into the back four. Ugarte went into the starting XI instead of Mainoo, while Garnacho was dropped to the bench and replaced by Rashford. Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s opposite number, Oosting, made two changes from Twente’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Almere City FC in the league last time. In midfield, Eiting was dropped to the bench and replaced by Vlap. Further forward, Van Wolfswinkel was brought into the starting XI, while Daan Rots took his place among the substitutes.
Following a slow start from both sides, the game finally came to life in the 9th minute when Bart Van Rooij fired a low cross into the penalty area for Lammers, who tried to turn it in but narrowly missed the post! Onana was beaten "all end up", and United got off the hook with that one! Two minutes later, Rashford and Zirkzee played a neat one-two, with the latter producing a clever flick. Rashford collected the ball inside the box and drilled a cross into the danger zone, but Bruns intercepted and cleared away from danger. From there on, it was all United, wave after wave, but had nothing to show.
Just over the first 25 minutes, fantastic Fernandes dinked a cross to the back post, and Martinez won the initial header. It fell to Hilgers, who accidentally shot towards his own goal, and Unnerstall was forced to make a superb save by tipping it behind for a corner. It was destined for the top corner!
Ten Hag, who began his coaching career at FC Twente and has made 234 appearances for them, was in no mood for errors as he barked instructions from the bench and urged his team on. Fernandes cleverly found Dalot inside the penalty area, but a sliding Hilgers dispossessed him. The ball got away from Hilgers and fell kindly to Eriksen just inside the box. His sweetly struck, powerful curling effort nestled into the top corner! The goalkeeper had no chance as he stood in awe of the wonder strike and United went in front!
It wasn't a vintage move that saw United take the lead, but Ten Hag did not mind. The ball fell straight to Eriksen's feet after Dalot was tackled inside the box, and he made no mistake firing beyond the goalkeeper. The fans were happy their darling team was ahead despite how they went ahead. The half petered out with very little chances or entertainment from either side.
Ten Hag ruffled the feathers of his team during the halftime interval hoping to get the best out of them. The second half started with Manchester United controlling the game with the lion’s share of possession. With only one goal on the score sheet, Manchester United knew they had to be more adventurous. They were exposed and left vulnerable in playing more expansively, which FC Twente took advantage of.
In the 68th minute, Eriksen tried to be too clever in a deep position and was dispossessed by the onrushing Lammers. He drove fearlessly into the penalty area, working it onto his left foot, then opened his body to deceive Onana and let him think he was going to the far corner. He fired it straight into the back of the net to make it 1-1! Onana was beaten at his near post, but it was a sloppy play from Eriksen!
United looked comfortable in the second half, but they've gifted Twente a chance to get back into the game. In the 70th minute, Eriksen gave the ball away once more in a dangerous position, but Daan Rots slotted a through ball to Regeer, but he failed to get it under control. After weathering a flurry of FC Twente’s attack, Manchester United pushed forward in search of the go-ahead goal. In the 80th minute, Josua Zirkzee played a slick one-two with Dalot and found himself inside the box. He darts past Hilgers and works the ball onto his left before unleashing a powerful effort towards the top corner, but Unnerstall makes another strong stop!
In all fairness, as the game dwindled to a close, Manchester United should have had a second goal after getting the best two chances of the last quarter. First, it was Garnacho operating on the left-hand side for United after coming off the bench, bursting into the box before cutting the ball back to the edge. It eventually fell to Fernandes who whipped in a curling effort towards the top corner. It agonizingly missed the corner pocket and flew into the stands. It was only a matter of inches away from finding the back of the net.
Second, Lammers cooked McGuire in the play leading up to the FC Twente goal. McGuire could rewrite the headlines, but he was a tad unfortunate. Mason Mount floated a cheeky ball to the back post, and Maguire did well in rising above his marker and winning the header. It's travelling towards the bottom corner and deflected off a defender, but Unnerstall somehow kept it out. The Twente goalkeeper showed incredible reaction speed.
Soon after that chance, the referee ended the game. Oosting's side, who produced 0.56 expected goals throughout, held on for a well-earned draw. It's an excellent result for the Eredivisie side in Manchester. Next for United in the competition is a trip to Porto, while Twente will host Fenerbahce. This was both sides' opening fixture in the Europa League, but neither team could secure the three points. The Red Devils have won just one of their last six major European matches when scoring the opening goal (D3 L2).
Ten Hag was furious after the game and has this to say: “We have to be more clinical in such situations. I don’t think tonight was the only problem. We have to keep going, being consistent; that is also a question of mentality. “(The) mentality is excellent from this team. I saw how high our work rate is in many games, but today I have some criticism. “But it is not only the team; I also have to look in the mirror. I am part of it.” United, 11th in the table with seven points from their opening five Premier League fixtures, are next in action against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. While FC Twente, who sits 4th on the table, will host NAC Breda in their next fixture.
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