Manchester United scored late on to save Erik ten Hag’s blushes as the Red Devils drew 3-3 against FC Porto.
Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund had fired Manchester United two goals up in Portugal but the Portuguese giants completed an unlikely turnaround with Samu Omorodion, who was linked to Chelsea during the summer transfer window, netting twice.
Harry Maguire netted a brilliant bullet header late on to rescue a point for the Red Devils. Bruno Fernandes was shown his second yellow card late on and was dismissed.
Erik ten Hag simply had to win this game against Porto but the fact that United have drawn, and very nearly lost the game, could be an issue.
Here are five things we learned from the UEFA Europa League draw.
Marcus Rashford excels despite half-time substitution
Rashford was certainly firing heading into this game with the Englishman looking to be in top form and he certainly showed that early on.
With Rashford playing in his preferred position on the left-hand side, the Englishman drove menacingly with the ball at his feet – and after some help from the self-proclaimed United fan Diogo Costa – fired the Red Devils in front.
It was all the more baffling that Rashford was substituted at half-time which would suggest that the Englishman is dealing with an injury problem.
Rasmus Hojlund finds his feet
Joshua Zirkzee has been the main starting striker for the Red Devils with Hojlund’s injury but the Danish forward was given a start at the Estadio De Dragao.
Hojlund peeled away from his marker on the left side and after being found by Rashford, the former Atalanta forward scored, with some help again from Costa.
Zirkzee has scored just once in all competitions for the Red Devils and Hojlund will be hoping to win back his place as the starting forward.
United’s defensive struggles cost them again
Samu Omorodion was tipped to be the man to cause United problems and those fears were realised far too easily.
Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez were no match for Samu, who cost FC Porto just £14 million despite being linked with a move to the Premier League for triple that fee.
Every time a cross was pumped into the box, the United defence had no answer to it and were cut open far too easily. It has been a fixture of Ten Hag’s United for the past year and shows no signs of changing.
Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez struggle again
The partnership of De Ligt and Martinez has simply not worked during the 2024/25 campaign. De Ligt joined United in the summer for £38 million and looked to be the defensive lynchpin the club were looking for.
However, De Ligt has struggled in the limelight and in a side that looks so bereft of confidence. Paul Scholes has concerns over De Ligt and he has certainly not impressed so far.
As for Martinez, the start of this campaign for the Argentine has been concerning. Martinez’s injury problems are well documented but the former Ajax defender looks shot of all confidence.
Time is running out for Ten Hag
United’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham was bad enough but this capitulation in Portugal could well be the nadir of Ten Hag’s reign at Old Trafford, despite Maguire rescuing a late draw.
When United went two goals to the good, things looked to be rosy in the garden but the defensive unravelling will be all too familiar.
This was the 24th time that United have conceded three or more goals under the Dutchman since he joined the club in 2022. Things have to change.
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