Man Utd 1 FC Twente 1: Erik ten Hag let down by flops once again as Christian Eriksen goes from hero to zero
ERIK TEN HAG was left frustrated as Manchester United failed to kill off a game again.
It has become a recurring theme under the boss.
Before the game he had urged his players to find that lethal touch in the box to finish teams off.
But despite having 19 efforts at goal only five were on target and one of them was from a Twente player
They had failed to take chances in the goalless draw at Crystal Palace at the weekend too.
New coach Ruud van Nistelrooy is still to work his magic on the Carrington training pitches.
On top from a Christian Eriksen strike on 35 minutes, it seemed they were going to have the perfect start against Ten Hag’s former club in this Europa League opener.
He had said before the game “it is not nice to have to hurt something you love” as he sensed victory against the team he played for in three spells and still supports.
But they were the one’s breaking his heart with a second-half equaliser to share the points through Sam Lammers.
There was a nice touch before the game when Steve McClaren was presented with a commemorative plaque on the pitch by Sir Alex Ferguson.
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McClaren was of course Ferguson’s assistant in that amazing treble season of 1998-99 and has just left the club after his second spell to become boss of Jamaica.
More importantly for the lively visiting fans, he was FC Twente coach when they won their first and only Dutch title in 2009-10.
He was given a rousing reception by them as they chanted his name.
They very nearly had something else to celebrate early in the game when Diogo Dalot lost out to Bart van Rooij, who crossed into the six yard box.
Lammers got the slightest of touches to deflect wide and beyond Andre Onana but the ball ran just wide of the far post.
Marcus Rashford was back in the team after being left out the starting line up for the game at Selhurst Park.
It was a surprise move given that he had scored three goals in two games.
And it brought much comment from pundit’s to the annoyance of Erik ten Hag, who has emphasised his need to rotate with so many games coming thick and fast.
Rashford showed that he felt he had a point to prove not just to Ten Hag but interim England boss Lee Carsley, who was in the stands.
His form last season saw him lose out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad, but Carsley has already proved he is prepared to give players another chance.
The forward looked lively from the start, tearing down the left flank as Amad Diallo did likewise down the right.
He was full of tricks, with one nutmeg drawing huge cheers.
In the 26th minute, there was very nearly a bizarre own goal in United’s favour.
When Lisandro Martinez thumped a header across goal towards Zirkzee, Mees Hilgers intervened with a flick.
But it forced his goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall into an incredible save to prevent the ball nestling in his top corner.
The Red Devils then took the lead through a fabulous strike from Eriksen.
Bruno Fernandes played the ball into the box for Diogo Dalot and, when he was challenged, it broke loose.
Eriksen was first on the scene with a first-time drive that flew into the far top corner.
United were in the ascendancy but Ten Hag will have wanted them to press that advantage home.
Diallo tried to do just that as he turned on the afterburners and tore into the box to win a corner soon after the break.
Eriksen swung it over and, when Harry Maguire met it with his head, the ball was blocked and fell back to the United centre-back whose volley was straight at the goalkeeper.
Rashford was having a good night and went on to dispossess Youri Regeer and run half the length of the pitch before he found Eriksen, who fed Noussair Mazraoui.
The move broke down, however, as United’s new full-back played a chipped cross that found nobody.
Too many moves broke down.
Lisandro Martinez reminded everybody why he was nicknamed ‘The Butcher of Amsterdam’ in his time at Ajax when he took out Sam Steijn 30 yards from United’s goal.
It earned him a booking and the visitors a free kick.
Steijn picked himself up to take it and his low shot around the wall almost crept into the far corner, but was kept out by Onana’s finger tips.
However, United failed to heed the warning and Twente drew level in the 67th minute.
Bart Van Rooij charged through the United ranks before an interception from Manuel Ugarte.
The ball broke to Eriksen, who thought he had more time than he did.
The Dane then saw his pocket picked by Lammers, who charged into the box and fired home at Onana’s near post.
In injury time, a Maguire header was saved brilliantly on the line by Unnerstall
Back to the drawing board, again.
Man Utd player ratings vs FC Twente
MANCHESTER UNITED'S Europa League campaign got off to a less than ideal start with a miserable 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford.
That result dealt a big blow to their chances of finishing in the top eight and avoiding two extra fixtures.
See how the players rated on an underwhelming night at Old Trafford.
Andre Onana – 6
Good save to push a free-kick from Sem Steijn to safety but might be disappointed to be beaten at the near post for Twente’s goal.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Early mistake near the corner flag could have been costly but he caused problems at the other end in build up to Christian Eriksen goal.
Harry Maguire – 6
Missed his tackle to put United on the back foot for the equaliser but almost won it late on with a header cleared off the line.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Made several important clearances but one wild challenge on edge of his box could have proven costly.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
New boy looks solid. Vital early tackle and another one later to stop Twente going in front.
Christian Eriksen – 7
Fourth successive start – and the veteran still looked sprightly. What a strike to give United the lead but then spoiled it with mistake for equaliser.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
A few good tackles from the new boy but might be disappointed not to clear his lines as Twente broke away for equaliser.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Much improved display in front of watching England interim boss Lee Carsley. Full of energy, a few tricks and a couple of dangerous crosses. More like his old self.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Skipper had a hand in the opening goal and was so close to winning it with curler from the edge of the box.
Amad Diallo – 6
His pace was too much to handle for the visitors at times but not much of an end product this time and made way for Alejandro Garnacho midway through the second half.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
A few good moments and forced a flying save from the visitors’ keeper after nice link up with Diogo Dalot – but then hooked for the fit-again Rasmus Hojlund.