Manchester United’s UEFA Europa League campaign got off to a disappointing start as they were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Twente at Old Trafford. This is the fourth foray by United into UEFA’s second-tier competition since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, and the fixture was particularly meaningful for manager Erik ten Hag, who started his career at Twente.
The visitors made their presence known early as Sam Lammers missed a good chance inside the box. However, United soon wrestled control, with Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen forcing blocks from the Twente defense. Eriksen found the net ten minutes before half time, capitalising on a loose ball to fire United into a 1-0 lead.
Twente regrouped at the start of the second half and began to stamp their authority on proceedings, once coming close to the equaliser when a low free-kick from Sem Steijn was magnificently parried by United’s André Onana. Ten Hag reacted to this by introducing Alejandro Garnacho from the bench but it was Twente who delivered a riposte as the clock struck 68. Eriksen was caught in possession and Lammers took advantage to score at Onana’s near post.
Ten Hag attempted to wrest back control, making a triple substitution as Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, and Rasmus Højlund were thrown into the fray. Late efforts by Fernandes and Garnacho couldn’t yield a United winner, leaving Twente to celebrate a commendable draw after being considered outsiders for most of the match.
