Manchester United started their UEFA Europa League group stage campaign with a 1-1 draw against Dutch side Twente at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Christian Eriksen put the Red Devils up before halftime but Dutch forward Sam Lammers feasted on an Eriksen error in the second half as United failed to finish their chances.
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The Red Devils are among the favorites to win the Europa League but this set back and a second match day at Porto threaten to put them off their pace.
Twente finished third in the Eredivisie last season and will be happy to take a point from Manchester, as they were out-attempted 18-7.
Man United’s new Matic shines
Erik ten Hag should not be happy with the split spoils given the opponent, but he should be beaming at the showing from Manuel Ugarte. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder at times resembled prime Nemanja Matic, though some of that could be the power of suggestion given his untucked long shirt and big shorts.
The Uruguayan had a game-high 87 touches including 10 passes into the final third. On another day he would’ve had two assists, and that’s not even his game.
Ugarte was always available for teammates and made the right choices. At times late in the game he looked a little rusty or tired with the touch off those choices, but that pales in comparison to the strength he showed in breaking up attacks. He led United with 10 defensive actions, according to fotmob.
Manchester United vs Twente player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Manchester United vs Twente player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Manchester United vs Twente player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Man United host Tottenham in the Premier League at 11:30am ET Sunday, then visit Porto at 3pm Thursday in their next Europa League affair.
Twente host NAC Breda in the Eredivisie on Sunday, then get a visit from Fenerbahce in the UEL on Thursday.
How to watch Manchester United vs Twente live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (September 25)
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Manchester United vs Twente live updates — By Nick Mendola
Manchester United vs Twente live score: 1-1
Christian Eriksen 35', Sam Lammers 68'
Sam Lammers goal! Manchester United 1-1 Twente (68th minute)
Eriken goes from hero to lowercase-g goat.
His giveaway is picked up by Lammers, who drives toward Andre Onana and beats him.
1-1!
FC TWENTE EQUALIZE AT OLD TRAFFORD 😱 pic.twitter.com/xl4Ms29cp7
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 25, 2024
FC TWENTE EQUALIZE AT OLD TRAFFORD 😱 pic.twitter.com/xl4Ms29cp7
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 25, 2024
Halftime — Manchester United 1-0 Twente
A deserved lead. Manuel Ugarte has looked the part in his first start, a good outlet for teammates in trouble and quick to play one-touch balls to open up some space.
A pressure valve, if you will. He leads the game with 44 touches after 45 minutes, and has sent a game-high six passes into the final third. Marcus Rashford has also had some bright moments.
United have made mistakes with the ball but deserve to lead by more than one, really.
Christian Eriksen goal video
Christian Eriksen with a ROCKET for Man Utd 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Qj4csYrImK
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 25, 2024
Christian Eriksen goal! Manchester United 1-0 Twente (35')
The Red Devils have been in the ascendancy and now they’ve got their advantage.
Bruno Fernandes sends the ball into the center of the box for Diogo Dalot, whose clumsy attempts at a 360 sees the ball roll to the left side of the box.
That’s where Christian Eriksen pummels the ball across goal and inside the side netting.
1-0, 35'.
First half lags as both sides have errors cleaned up
Lisandro Martinez sends a hard ball toward goal and Twente’s bid to block it turns into an upper 90 own goal in 3... 2... no! Lars Unnerstall gets up and slaps it away from the near corner.
At the other end, Noussair Mazraoui either slipped or didn’t get enough on a super risky diagonal pass from his right corner toward the top of the arc.
Read well by Twente, the threat is handled in matching fashion by the hosts.
0-0, 25'.
Dalot error opens door for Twente
Twente win a corner, and the ball makes its way through the sea of bodies and bounds toward the other corner flag.
Diogo Dalot is seeing the ball out of bounds but allows it to get behind him, and Twente get a chance that is redirected just wide of the far post.
Too close. Man United soon win a corner but Marcus Rashford’s ensuing shot is blocked,
0-0, 10'
Manchester United vs Twente team news
Manuel Ugarte gets a first start for the Red Devils, while Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Alejandro Garnacho start on the bench. Rasmus Hojlund is also on the bench.
Hardcore Premier League fans will remember Ricky van Wolfswinkel from his time at Norwich City, while fellow forward Sam Lammers (Rangers, Atalanta) is also a familiar face.
Manchester United lineup
Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Ugarte, Eriksen, Fernandes, Zirkzee, Amad, Rashford
Twente lineup
Unnerstall, van Rooij, Hilgers, Bruns, Salah-Eddine, Regeer, Vlap, Steijn, van Wolfswinkel, van Bergen, Lammers
Manchester United focus, team news
Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro all remain out, while Erik ten Hag did say Shaw could return before the next international break or soon after. Malacia and Lindelof are also back in training and should be available soon. United will rotate heavily and we will see the likes of Casemiro, Evans, Rashford, Ugarte, Maguire, Mount and Hojlund all get valuable minutes.
Twente focus, team news
Twente are without Michal Sadilek, while Younes Taha is still recovering from a broken leg. Ricky van Wolfswinkel, 35, is still going strong and is likely to feature off the bench.
Manchester United vs FC Twente prediction
This seems like a tricky game on paper for United and it will be probably be tighter than we expect. But United’s extra quality will be enough to get them through. Manchester United 3-1 Twente.
