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Man United 1 Twente 1 – Eriksen scores, Rashford shines, but so many mistakes led to Twente’s goal

Manchester United opened their Europa League campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Erik ten Hag’s former club Twente.

Christian Eriksen put United ahead with a superb first-half performance, but was then responsible – along with several of his teammates – for Twente's equaliser when Sam Lammers struck midway through the second half.

United's next Europa League game is away to Porto on Thursday 3 October, before hosting Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Laurie Whitwell and Carl Anka analyse the key talking points from Old Trafford…

Ten Hag's old flame inflicts pain on United

Ten Hag said he would rather not play against Twente because he didn't want to hurt something he loved. Ten Hag spent 23 years at Twente as a player and coach. In the end, the only pain was on United's side.

Twente celebrated the draw as if they had won a trophy. After the final whistle, the players and coaches sang a long chorus together with the 4,000 fans in the away section. The analysts in the stands jumped up and hugged each other at the result.

It's been another difficult start to the season for United. Their record now reads three wins, two draws and two defeats in all competitions. It's hard to say how important this result will be in the complicated scheme of the expanded Europa League, but it's far from an ideal start.

Laurie Whitwell

Rashford shines on his return to Ten Hag’s eleven

Marcus Rashford returned to the starting line-up, backing up Ten Hag's claim that his place on the bench at Selhurst Park was a matter of rotation, and he played with real enjoyment.

The highlight of his performance came when he tunnelled Ricky van Wolfswinkel with a Ronaldinho-style elastico on the edge of the Twente penalty area, taking the Old Trafford crowd's breath away. Rashford's play was convincing when he played a pass to Lisando Martinez, whose shot was blocked.

Rashford has shown United fans this ability before, but that was a while ago. Here, it was a sure sign that his confidence was on the rise. He had already indicated his mood when he twice slotted the ball between his opponent's legs. On the second of these tunnel shots, Rashford slotted the ball into the box to Joshua Zirkzee on a counter-attack, having built up pace by forcing down the wing.

He appears to be on good terms with Zirkzee, whose technique was also on display. The pair played a lovely one-two in the box, with Zirkzee feeding Rashford with a spinning backheel, but Rashford's low cross was intercepted.

Rashford crossed again shortly afterwards, this time the ball went just in front of the stretching Zirkzee's feet. For Zirkzee, it was a similarly narrow miss to his chance against Crystal Palace.

In the second half, Rashford showed he can play the other side of the game too, forcing Youri Regeer off the ball to launch an attack. Overall, although he didn't score, it was an impressive return to the starting line-up for Rashford.

Laurie Whitwell

A mixed evening for Eriksen in midfield

There are few things in football that are more rewarding than watching a technically gifted player strike the ball cleanly and firmly. Eriksen's goal in the 35th minute was a real joy to watch.

This was due to Diogo Dalot applying pressure in the final third and creating some space in the left-hand box. The ball broke free and landed in front of Eriksen's run, who fired it firmly and cleanly past Twente goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall at the far post.


(Zohaib Alam – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)

The goal adds a sparkle to the winning streak of the central midfielder, who has gone from reserve to favourite under Ten Hag in recent weeks. Wednesday's match was the fourth consecutive game in which Eriksen started, and he brought his trademark grace, guile and cleverness to United's midfield in the first half.

Denmark are a feature of Ten Hag's midfield, with Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro providing intensity in the tackling and Kobbie Mainoo providing pressing resistance in the ball carrying. Eriksen plays consistent (and controlled) passes into the final third and doesn't try to force the issue when he feels United would be better off holding onto the ball. United were poor for much of the first half against Twente, but Eriksen's goal gave them a lead to build on.

Unfortunately, he lost that footing later in the second half, his hard touch ending a bizarre defensive sequence that allowed Lammers to burst through and score Twente's equaliser.

At 32 years old and with known weaknesses in defence, Eriksen will not be able to solve United's long-standing midfield problem. That Ten Hag continues to select the Dane says a lot about the player and the club's unusual midfield formation.

Carl Anka

A collection of errors for the Twente goal

A night that seemed headed for a routine, if unspectacular, victory for United was turned on its head in the 68th minute, shortly after Ten Hag replaced Amad with Alejandro Garnacho.

Bart van Rooij, playing as a right-back, came in possession of the ball after a goal kick, decided to run through the middle and managed to make his way into dangerous territory.

Rashford, who had played well, missed his challenge…

Bruno Fernandes made little attempt to intervene…

And then Lisandro Martinez, who had just been cautioned, and Eriksen, who failed to apply enough pressure when trying to corner him…

Harry Maguire took the initiative, stepped forward and tried to stop Van Rooij's advance with a diving tackle, but he also missed the ball and the ball rolled through his legs…

Manuel Ugarte was forced to come over and win the ball, which he did by sliding in… Van Rooij had already covered about 55 metres at this point, all the way from the right side of defence to the final third.

The ball went to Eriksen, who completely misjudged the situation. He took the ball as if he had as much space and time as he wanted…

But he gave Lammers the chance to run away with the ball …

United were suddenly completely defenseless, Lammers stormed into the penalty area, but Andre Onana could have done better.

He fell victim to Lammers, who wanted to aim a shot at the far post, but instead deflected the ball to the near side…

The so-called “Steve McClaren derby” ended in a draw. McClaren was presented with a silver plate before kick-off in recognition of his work at both clubs. He led Twente to their only Eredivisie title and won the treble at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson was on the pitch as part of the tribute.

Laurie Whitwell

What did Erik ten Hag say?

We will let you know after he speaks at the post-match press conference.

What’s next for Manchester United?

Sunday, September 29th: Tottenham Hotspur (H), Premier League, 4:30pm BST, 11:30am ET

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