Manchester United needed a stoppage-time header from Harry Maguire to salvage a 3-3 draw against FC Porto, after they had let slip a two-goal lead in their latest European encounter.
United started brightly, with Marcus Rashford opening the scoring in the seventh minute, cutting his way through the Porto rear guard to slot into the net. Rashford then turned provider, setting up Rasmus Højlund for United’s second, beating Diogo Costa at the near post.
Porto responded quick, quick as in a seven-minute burst to turn this match around. First, João Mário’s dangerous crosses caused chaos in the United defense-first forcing an own goal by Noussair Mazraoui-then Pepê pounced on the rebound from André Onana’s save. Minutes later, Samu’s towering header completed Porto’s comeback.
The half-time withdrawal of Rashford had taken much of the sting out of United, and Porto took advantage as Samu got his second, assisted again by Pepê. Things got worse for United when Bruno Fernandes received a second yellow card to leave them down to ten men.
Deniz Gül missed out on a crucial chance to extend Porto’s lead as United snatched a point courtesy of a thumping header by Maguire from a corner. United continued to be below par in Europe and piled more pressure on Erik ten Hag ahead of their weekend clash with Aston Villa.
