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 troublesome 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-Purpose 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 a superb solo purpose. 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 purpose. Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa was positioned on the close to publish however couldn’t react in time, resulting in United’s opener.
Rashford turned supplier 13 minutes later, slipping Rasmus Hojlund by way of on purpose 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 publish. Costa, standing guard on the close to publish, ought to have achieved higher to maintain out Hojlund’s effort.
As a substitute of folding after conceding the second purpose, 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 suitable for Samuel Omorodion to assault however couldn’t get the ball forward of Noussair Mazraoui. The United defender tried to carry the ball over the bar however ended up heading towards his purpose. 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 a fantastic ball into the field and Omorodion glanced it previous a scrambling Onana. All of United’s onerous work went down the drain resulting from 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 in the hunt for the go-ahead purpose, with Pepe carrying the ball within the closing third. He dashed towards the suitable facet 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 dangerous to worse for Man Utd, as captain Bruno Fernandes picked up a second yellow for a excessive boot. The Portuguese, who additionally obtained despatched off in opposition to 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 harm time, substitute Harry Maguire headed dwelling from Christian Eriksen’s nook, saving Man Utd’s blushes. United had been finally lucky to flee with a degree, as they completed with a decrease xG than Porto (1.61 to 2.13) regardless of taking significantly extra pictures (29 vs 14).
