Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United squandered a two-goal lead to attract 3-3 with FC Porto at Estadio do Dragao on Matchday 2 of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League marketing campaign. Thursday’s (October 3) thrilling attract Portugal prolonged Man Utd’s winless streak to 4 video games in all competitions. They’re additionally in a tough place within the Europa League, sitting in twenty first place within the league rankings after choosing up solely two factors from as many video games.
Manchester United Give up Two-Objective Result in Porto in First Half
Having suffered a 3-0 defeat to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur of their final outing, Manchester United had been wanting to get off to a fast begin at Porto. In-form winger Marcus Rashford granted that want within the seventh minute, scoring an excellent solo aim. The Englishman dribbled down the left channel earlier than neatly slipping between two defenders, opening a little bit of house, and having a go at aim. Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa was positioned on the close to submit however couldn’t react in time, resulting in United’s opener.
Rashford turned supplier 13 minutes later, slipping Rasmus Hojlund by means of on aim from the sting of the field. The Dane hit it first time along with his left foot and squeezed the ball on the close to submit. Costa, standing guard on the close to submit, ought to have finished higher to maintain out Hojlund’s effort.
As a substitute of folding after conceding the second aim, Porto got here at United with a vengeance, finally getting one again within the twenty seventh minute. Joao Mario swung in a tasty cross from the appropriate for Samuel Omorodion to assault however couldn’t get the ball forward of Noussair Mazraoui. The United defender tried to elevate the ball over the bar however ended up heading towards his aim. Andre Onana made an instinctive save however the unfastened ball fell to Pepe, who tapped it in.
Porto scored the equalizer within the thirty fourth minute, with Omorodion getting on the scoresheet. Mario as soon as once more floated an exquisite ball into the field and Omorodion glanced it previous a scrambling Onana. All of United’s laborious work went down the drain as a result of lackluster defending.
Bruno Fernandes Sees Second Yellow as United Settles for Second Europa League Draw
5 minutes into the second half, Omorodion fired Porto into the lead. Porto dedicated our bodies ahead looking for the go-ahead aim, with Pepe carrying the ball within the last third. He dashed towards the appropriate aspect of the field earlier than pulling it again for Omorodion. The Spaniard checked his run to lose Matthijs de Ligt and utilized a thumping end to ship Pepe’s cutback into the roof of the web.
Within the eightieth minute, issues went from unhealthy to worse for Man Utd, as captain Bruno Fernandes picked up a second yellow for a excessive boot. The Portuguese, who additionally acquired despatched off towards Tottenham Hotspur final weekend, protested as a lot as he might, however referee Tobias Stieler didn’t change his choice. Fortunately for the guests, Porto didn’t have sufficient time to capitalize on Fernandes’ dismissal.
Within the first minute of damage time, substitute Harry Maguire headed residence from Christian Eriksen’s nook, saving Man Utd’s blushes. United had been finally lucky to flee with some extent, as they completed with a decrease xG than Porto (1.61 to 2.13) regardless of taking significantly extra pictures (29 vs 14).
