Five things we learned: United 1 FC Twente 1
Manchester United's Europa League campaign began with frustration on Wednesday evening, as FC Twente clawed a point from Old Trafford after falling behind.
A scorching Christian Eriken strike had given the Reds a deserved lead towards the end of the first half, but the visitors capitalised on a second-half mistake to level the game.
United toiled to find a winner in the late stages, and almost found it via a deflected Harry Maguire header, but the Eredivise club clung on, to the visible euphoria of their 3,500-strong away following.
It was a mixed night for Erik ten Hag's United, but here are five noteworthy things we logged from the 90 minutes...
United toiled to find a winner in the late stages, and almost found it via a deflected Harry Maguire header, but the Eredivise club clung on, to the visible euphoria of their 3,500-strong away following.
It was a mixed night for Erik ten Hag's United, but here are five noteworthy things we logged from the 90 minutes...
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MCCLAREN IS MASSIVE IN ENSCHEDE
Former United assistant manager Steve McClaren is a pretty popular figure in Manchester, thanks to his heroics as an assistant manager, first in the Treble season with Sir Alex Ferguson, but secondly alongside Erik ten Hag, who he helped to two major trophies before departing to become the Jamaican national team coach.
But when the former England boss was given an engraved silver plate before kick-off – to honour his contributions to both of the clubs involved in this fixture – he was given a rapturous reception by the FC Twente contingent inside the stadium.
McClaren helped the club to its only Eredivisie title to date back in 2009/10.
Former United assistant manager Steve McClaren is a pretty popular figure in Manchester, thanks to his heroics as an assistant manager, first in the Treble season with Sir Alex Ferguson, but secondly alongside Erik ten Hag, who he helped to two major trophies before departing to become the Jamaican national team coach.
But when the former England boss was given an engraved silver plate before kick-off – to honour his contributions to both of the clubs involved in this fixture – he was given a rapturous reception by the FC Twente contingent inside the stadium.
McClaren helped the club to its only Eredivisie title to date back in 2009/10.
RASHFORD IMPRESSES
The media made much of Marcus Rashford's absence from the starting line-up for Saturday's game away at Crystal Palace, given the forward's three goals in two games against Southampton and Barnsley.
But the Academy product returned to the line-up this evening and, despite United's failure to win the game, acquitted himself well during the near 80 minutes he spent on the pitch.
In fact, Rashford did everything but score for much of the contest, tormenting his opponent on the United left with a series of nutmegs, flash footwork and nice passes. His growing, intuitive relationship with Joshua Zirkzee threatened for much of the evening, too.
The media made much of Marcus Rashford's absence from the starting line-up for Saturday's game away at Crystal Palace, given the forward's three goals in two games against Southampton and Barnsley.
But the Academy product returned to the line-up this evening and, despite United's failure to win the game, acquitted himself well during the near 80 minutes he spent on the pitch.
In fact, Rashford did everything but score for much of the contest, tormenting his opponent on the United left with a series of nutmegs, flash footwork and nice passes. His growing, intuitive relationship with Joshua Zirkzee threatened for much of the evening, too.
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ERIKSEN SCORES AGAIN
It's been an encouraging few weeks for Christian, who has started the Reds last four games across all competitions. He opened the scoring here – following on from his double against Barnsley in our last home game – which already makes 2024/25 his best goalscoring season as a Red.
However, the second half was less pleasing for the Dane, as he was caught on the ball in the lead-up to Sam Lammers' equaliser.
It's been an encouraging few weeks for Christian, who has started the Reds last four games across all competitions. He opened the scoring here – following on from his double against Barnsley in our last home game – which already makes 2024/25 his best goalscoring season as a Red.
However, the second half was less pleasing for the Dane, as he was caught on the ball in the lead-up to Sam Lammers' equaliser.
EUROPEAN DEBUTS
Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte both made European debuts for the club in this fixture, after moving to United during the summer transfer window.
The Moroccan and Uruguay internationals are no strangers to the continent's elite competitions, having played for Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, most recently.
Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte both made European debuts for the club in this fixture, after moving to United during the summer transfer window.
The Moroccan and Uruguay internationals are no strangers to the continent's elite competitions, having played for Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, most recently.
A NEW-LOOK EUROPA LEAGUE
Tonight was the start of the rebooted Europa League format, which sees 36 teams compete across eight fixtures in a league-style system in which the top eight achieve automatic qualification.
A draw in our opening match is not ideal, but there are seven games remaining, which will test the strength and depth of every squad in the competition. The new format looks set to be a marathon, rather than a sprint, but Twente have given the Reds a reminder that there will be few easy fixtures, regardless of European pedigree.
Tonight was the start of the rebooted Europa League format, which sees 36 teams compete across eight fixtures in a league-style system in which the top eight achieve automatic qualification.
A draw in our opening match is not ideal, but there are seven games remaining, which will test the strength and depth of every squad in the competition. The new format looks set to be a marathon, rather than a sprint, but Twente have given the Reds a reminder that there will be few easy fixtures, regardless of European pedigree.
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