Manchester United’s Europa League opener against FC Twente ended in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, leaving Erik ten Hag’s side with more questions than answers. What began as a night of high hopes turned into one of frustration, particularly for Christian Eriksen, who went from hero to villain within the span of 90 minutes. Eriksen’s first-half strike gave United the lead, but a second-half mistake allowed Twente’s Sam Lammers to equalize, resulting in a disappointing draw for the Red Devils.
Eriksen Shines, Then Fades
For much of the first half, Manchester United were in control. Eriksen was at the heart of the action, dictating play in midfield and linking up with teammates effortlessly. His goal in the 32nd minute, a thunderous finish into the left corner, was a perfect example of his footballing prowess. It came after a well-timed run and pass by Bruno Fernandes, which left Eriksen with only the goalkeeper to beat. He made no mistake, sending the ball flying into the net to put United ahead.
However, the joy was short-lived. As the game progressed, United’s dominance began to wane, and Twente grew in confidence. Eriksen, who had been a star in the first half, turned into the culprit in the second. His hesitation on the ball in the 68th minute allowed Twente’s Lammers to swoop in and score the equalizer. It was a momentary lapse, but one that proved costly.
United’s First-Half Brilliance
In the first 45 minutes, Manchester United played some of their best football of the season. The team was fluid in attack, with Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Joshua Zirkzee combining well to create several chances. Rashford, back in the starting XI, was a constant threat down the left flank. His pace and trickery left Twente’s defenders scrambling, and he nearly scored on multiple occasions.
The midfield was well-organized, with Manuel Ugarte making his full debut and impressing with his tough tackling and ability to break up Twente’s attacks. Alongside him, Noussair Mazraoui was also a standout performer, particularly with his driving runs from deep and sharp interceptions.
While Twente had a few half-chances, including a wayward shot from Lammers early on, they struggled to get into the game in the first half. United’s compact defense, led by Lisandro Martínez and Harry Maguire, ensured that the visitors rarely threatened David de Gea’s goal.
Second-Half Slip-Up
The second half, however, was a different story. United began brightly, with Rashford and Zirkzee continuing to trouble Twente’s backline. Rashford, in particular, dazzled with his dribbling skills, nutmegging defenders and creating space for himself. But despite their positive start, United couldn’t find the killer second goal.
As the game wore on, Twente began to grow into the contest. United’s energy levels dipped, and the Dutch side capitalized. Their pressing forced mistakes from the usually reliable United midfield, and in the 68th minute, they got their reward. Eriksen, perhaps trying to do too much in his own half, was caught on the ball by Twente’s Bart van Rooij, who set up Lammers for the equalizer.
Eriksen’s error shifted the momentum in Twente’s favor, and from that point on, it was a more even contest. Ten Hag responded by making changes, bringing on Rasmus Højlund, Mason Mount, and Kobbie Mainoo, but the substitutes failed to have the desired impact.
Missed Opportunities
Despite the setback, United had chances to win the game late on. In the dying minutes of the match, there was a flurry of activity in the Twente box. Harry Maguire, known for his aerial prowess, came close to grabbing a winner with a powerful header, but Twente’s goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall was equal to it.
Ten Hag’s men pushed for a winner, but Twente’s defense held firm. The draw was a bitter pill to swallow for United, who had looked so comfortable in the first half but let their performance slip after the break.
FAQs
Christian Eriksen scored for Manchester United in the first half, giving them the lead before Twente equalized.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Twente’s Sam Lammers scoring the equalizer after Christian Eriksen’s mistake.
Manchester United dominated the first half, controlling possession and creating several chances. Eriksen scored a well-taken goal to put United ahead.
In the second half, Manchester United’s performance dipped, and a mistake from Eriksen allowed Twente to equalize.
Erik ten Hag brought on Rasmus Højlund, Mason Mount, and Kobbie Mainoo in the second half, but the substitutions did not change the outcome.
Conclusion
Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Twente was a tale of two halves. Eriksen’s first-half brilliance was undone by his second-half mistake, which allowed Twente to secure a draw. For Erik ten Hag, it was a night of mixed emotions—his team showed flashes of brilliance but also demonstrated that there is still work to be done. With the Europa League campaign underway, United will need to find more consistency if they are to challenge for silverware this season.
