Harry Maguire Rescues a Late Point as Manchester United Stumble Once Again on the European Stage
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Is this the end of the road for Erik Ten Hag and Manchester United? Well, not quite. But if displays like this keep piling up, the clock is definitely ticking. After a dreadful showing against Spurs on Sunday, all eyes were on the Red Devils to respond and put things right with a victory against Porto in the Europa League.
However, what followed was a typical Manchester United performance under the leadership of Erik Ten Hag. United took an early lead thanks to a sizzling solo goal by Marcus Rashford in the 7th minute. The Red Devils extended their lead when Rasmus Hojlund unleashed a powerful strike from Rashford's pass. Though Porto's keeper Diogo Costa got a hand to it, he couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line as it crept into the net. At this point, many fans felt that United were finally coming good, but that wasn’t the case. United relinquished the control of the game, as Porto restored parity within 7 minutes.
In the 27th minute, Porto’s winger Pepe nodded home the home side’s first goal of the match. Just seven minutes later, Samu Omorodion brought Porto back on level terms with a well-placed header from six yards out. Both teams went into the halftime break all square, but it was Manchester United who were shaking. United’s lack of a defensive structure and discipline has been their downfall on several occasions before. And it was threatening to end a night in disappointment which started on such a positive note. Porto completed their comeback in the 50th minute, as Omorodion scored his second of the night from Pepe’s cutback.
Just when it seemed like things couldn't get any worse for Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes was shown a second yellow for a high boot in the 81st minute, earning him a second red card in two games—following his controversial dismissal against Spurs. With Fernandes off, United looked completely beaten. However, Harry Maguire’s stoppage time header rescued a point for the English giants. The English defender nodded in an exquisite corner delivery from Christian Eriksen.
This draw means that United have just two points after two UEL games. Moreover, they have failed to secure a win in over four games. What’s even more troubling? Since Erik ten Hag’s arrival in 2022, the Red Devils have conceded three or more goals 24 times—no other Premier League side has shipped that many in the same period. Despite such subpar performances, Ten Hag has urged fans to “judge” his side at the end of the season, and not now. He said, “We will get there. Don't judge us in this moment, judge us at the end of the season. We are in the process, we will improve." While Ten Hag preaches patience, it’s running thin in Manchester. If these lackluster performances continue, it wouldn’t be shocking if the club’s decision-makers make a change well before Christmas.
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