Match report: United 1 FC Twente 1
Manchester United were forced to settle for a point in the opening match of the new-look Europa League, against Erik ten Hag's former club FC Twente.
Christian Eriksen's first European goal for the club gave the Reds the lead 10 minutes before the break with a sublime strike, which was cancelled out by Sam Lammers for the Dutch visitors midway through the second period.
The Reds will feel that it is a missed opportunity, after the boss had stressed the importance of a strong start in the first of eight Europa League games, in our first competitive meeting with his own boyhood club, which he represented as captain, youth coach and assistant manager earlier in his career.
Erik made three changes to the line-up from Saturday’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace as Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte and Harry Maguire were recalled in place of Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Matthijs de Ligt, who were among a strong substitutes’ bench.
Before kick-off, former United coach and FC Twente manager Steve McClaren was presented with an engraved silver plate at pitchside by Sir Alex Ferguson and Twente’s Wout Brace to recognise his contribution to both clubs.
FIRST HALF - ERIKSEN EDGES UNITED AHEAD
The slick surface contributed to a lively opening to our 201st European game at the Theatre of Dreams, which was in fine voice.
The visitors carved the first sighting of goal early on as ex-Rangers forward Sam Lammers side-footed wide at the near post from Bart van Rooij’s low cross.
In front of watching interim England manager Lee Carsley, Rashford made a positive impression down the left flank and his link-up play with our Dutch frontman Joshua Zirkzee looked like a promising route to goal for the Reds.
On the opposite side, Amad niftily worked his way to the byline and his threatening cross led to Zirkzee, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen all having shots that were frantically blocked by the Twente rearguard in quick succession.
But the visitors’ keeper, Lars Unnerstall, was tested for the first time by one of his own team-mates, when Mees Hilgers – under pressure from Zirkzee – inadvertently volleyed Lisandro Martinez’s knockdown towards goal, forcing an acrobatic stop.
Soon after, Rashford’s dazzling piece of skill deceived FC Twente skipper Ricky van Wolfswinkel before our no.10’s cutback picked out an unmarked Martinez, who found Anass Salah-Eddine in the way of his attempt at goal.
Just when it was becoming frustrating for the Reds, Eriksen ensured United had the advantage at the break by adding to the two goals he bagged against Barnsley in our previous home game.
The Danish midfielder fired a delightful first-time strike into the far corner, after the ball escaped the clutches of Diogo Dalot inside the box from Fernandes’s forward pass.
SECOND HALF - TWENTE FIGHT BACK
The Reds had more defensive work to carry out when the action resumed as the Enschede club sought a response, but Maguire had the first chance of the second period when his half-volley from Eriksen’s corner was denied by Unnerstall.
Andre Onana had little to do in the United goal, until he was called upon to tip Sem Steijn’s low free-kick behind for a corner after the FC Twente danger man had been fouled by Martinez, who was booked.
Moments after Garnacho entered the fray in place of Amad, Joseph Oosting’s side levelled matters as Lammers stole possession from Eriksen and rifled a shot past Onana, after a lung-busting run from Van Rooij had initially been halted.
The equaliser gave the Eredivisie outfit an injection of confidence and the Reds had to stay focused as the contest opened up again.
Zirkzee came close to his first European goal for the Reds as he exchanged passes with Dalot and forced a save from Unnerstall, before Maguire saw his header from Eriksen’s resulting corner deflect wide – despite a goal-kick being awarded.
A triple change from Ten Hag saw Mason Mount make his return to action after a month-long absence, as our no.7 was joined by Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo to bring fresh energy to proceedings.
As United dominated the closing stages, Fernandes saw his shot whistle inches wide from Ugarte’s cutback and Garnacho curled narrowly over from the edge of the box.
In stoppage time, Maguire’s header clipped off the leg of Bruns and drew a last-gasp stop from Unnerstall, who also made a routine save from Fernandes’s distance effort. But the Reds could not find a winner and attention now turns to Sunday’s Premier League visit from Tottenham Hotspur (kick-off 16:30 BST).
MATCH DETAILS
United: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Eriksen (Mainoo 79), Ugarte, Amad (Garnacho 67), Fernandes (c), Rashford (Hojlund 79); Zirkzee (Mount 79).
Substitutes: Bayindir, Heaton, De Ligt, Evans, Casemiro, Collyer, Antony.
Goals: Eriksen 35.
Booked: Martinez.
FC Twente: Unnerstall; Van Roof, Hilgers, Bruns, Salah-Eddine; Regeer (Besselink 83), Vlap (Kjolo 61); Steijn (D.Rots 60); Van Wolfswinkel (c), Lammers (Lagerbielke 83), Van Bergen (Ltaief 74).
Substitutes: Tyton, Eiting, El Maach, Kuipers, Mesbahi, M.Rots, Tyton, Van Hoorenbeeck.
Goals: Lammers 68.
Booked: Bruns, Lammers, Van Wolfswinkel.