New Delhi: Manchester United’s Europa League 2024/25 campaign got off to a disappointing start as their opening match against FC Twente ended in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on September 26. Despite dominating the first half, the Red Devils failed to secure all three points as the visitors made a resilient comeback.
United dominated the game early on, with captain Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen testing Twente’s defence. FC Twente got an early chance to score but Lammers missed the far post with a side-footed shot. Eriksen scored the first goal in the 35th minute of the game, firing into the top corner of the net after capitalizing on a loose ball in the box.
However, Twente came back stronger in the second half and applied constant pressure on United’s defence. The match took a drastic turn when Lammers dispossessed Eriksen in his own half and smashed a brilliant shot behind Andre Onana to level the score. The goal changed the mood in Twente’s dugout and they played much more freely.
United looked for a late-winner but resilient defending and goalkeeping kept them out of the game. Zirkzee’s close range shot was saved by Twente’s goalkeeper while Bruno also missed the target narrowly. Despite late efforts from Bruno and Garnacho, the Red Devils have to settle for a point.
‘They fought for every yard and we didn’t’: Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag
After the match, Manchester United’s boss said that his team kept them alive in the match and the players need to be more consistent. He further added that the players had to go for the second goal and if we don’t finish the game, they will punish us.
“We kept them alive when 1-0 up controlling the game and then you have to be consistent and keep going in the second half, we dropped the level and gave a goal away. We didn’t finish it off, we had to go for the second goal and they stay alive and we get punished with a mistake from ourselves” Erik said on TNT Sports.
He said that 99 per cent is not enough, and players need to give their 100 per cent. Erik further added that Twente played like it was the game of their life and they fought hard for it but his team didn’t.
“The goal it’s a team, the player of Twente can dribble over the whole pitch without being stopped but then can’t give a goal away like this. It was the game of their life, they fought for every yard and we didn’t. 99 per cent is not enough, you have to give 100 per cent, you have to kill the game, finish it off, we are leading 1-0, but you have to go for the second goal, then you kill the game” Erik added.
Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag slammed his player after playing a draw in the Europa League against FC Twente. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
