Porto v Manchester United LIVE: Result and final score as Harry Maguire saves Red Devils in Europa League
United boss Erik ten Hag was under intense scrutiny as he took his side to Porto in the second round of Europa League matches
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Your support makes all the difference.Super sub Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time header saved Manchester United’s blushes and potentially Erik ten Hag’s job as the Europa League clash with Porto ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Four days after their 3-0 home humiliation at the hands of Tottenham, the Red Devils put criticism of the players and their under-fire manager to the side with an impressive start in Portugal.
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund had United in control, only for Ten Hag’s men to lose their way and their defensive faculties as Pepe scored before Samu Omorodion’s brilliant brace.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second straight match as Ten Hag squirmed, only for Maguire to head home a Christian Eriksen corner in stoppage time to seal a point.
Gary Neville lays into ‘absolutely disgusting’ Manchester United performance
Gary Neville slammed an “absolutely disgusting” performance from Manchester United as Tottenham won 3-0 at Old Trafford to increase the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
“The big story today is that in that first half,” he said on Sky Sports. “You can’t say it came from nowhere because Manchester United have been inconsistent all season, but they have chosen to put in their very worst performance, their very worst possible showing.
“It was an absolutely disgusting performance in that first half in effort, quality, everything you want in a football team and there are going to be questions to answer for that group (of players) and the manager in the next week.”
Jamie Carragher unimpressed by Man Utd’s £42m signing: ‘He’s out of position all the time’
Jamie Carragher singled out Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt for criticism and said the £42 summer signing was “out of position all the time” during the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.
In a segment on Monday Night Football, the former Liverpool centre-back highlighted three incidents during the first half at Old Trafford where Spurs were able to counter-attack against United and said De Ligt was at fault.
The Netherlands international and former Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich defender has only made four Premier League starts for United but has been caught out in the defeats to Liverpool and now Spurs.
Carragher unimpressed by Man Utd’s £42m signing: ‘He’s out of position all the time’
It’s been a tough start for the Netherlands international since arriving at Manchester United
More from Vitor Bruno
“I’ve heard a lot of people saying that they have a rope around their necks,” said Bruno when asked by United’s form.
“But, no, no, we are just looking at our objective and that is to reach the next stage. We always see them as a threat, not as a good point to take them on.
“We have to just be ourselves and look at them the way the way we have to look at them, with respect, a lot of respect, with a lot of individuals.
“I know what you mean talking about their last match, but we must see the whole not the last one.”
Countdown to kick-off
Just under half an hour to go until things kick off in Porto.
Erik ten Hag will be desperate for his side to bounce back from Sunday’s disastrous defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, but Porto will no doubt pose a difficult challenge.
Rasmus Hojlund is back up top - can he prove the difference?
Pre-match thoughts from Porto coach
Porto coach, Vitor Bruno, says he is expecting Man Utd to be a tough team to beat tonight despite them going through a rough patch in terms of form.
Bruno said: “Even though Manchester United are going through a difficult period, it’s a club with history and European experience, which has great individual values.
“We cannot underestimate them. At the same time, we must always aim to achieve victory, because representing this club means that.”
Erik ten Hag on facing Porto
Erik ten Hag spoke about what he is expecting from tonight’s match saying: “We know that Porto are a good team, with good players and good strategy. We have to play good football to get a positive result. The way they attack, with dynamism and creativity, and the way they defend, with aggressivness, will be a real challenge for use.
“The team is frustrated, due to the defeat at the weekend and also for not winning in three games. When we are not winning, we get very disappointed. But we have to turn things around, with all the players having to be up to the task in every game. Opponents are always 100 per cent motivated against us and we have to be prepared for that.”
The last time Porto hosted a Premier League heavyweight
The Estadio do Dragao is not an easy place to visit - just ask Arsenal.
Nothing for me to panic about – Erik ten Hag calm over Man Utd’s poor start
Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United’s poor start to the campaign is nothing “to panic about” as the under-fire manager ignores talk of the sack and focuses on ending the season with more silverware.
May’s FA Cup final win against rivals Manchester City was the high point in a miserable campaign and helped save the Dutchman’s job after lengthy deliberation by ambitious Ineos.
But Ten Hag’s third season in charge has begun in alarming fashion, with Sunday’s 3-0 home humbling by Tottenham ratcheting up the pressure on the United manager.
Nothing for me to panic about – Erik ten Hag calm over Man Utd’s poor start
Ten Hag’s third season in charge has begun in alarming fashion as Sunday’s 3-0 home humbling by Tottenham ratcheted up the pressure on the Dutchman.
Travel nightmare for Man Utd fans
There will be a fair few empty seats in the away end of the Estadio do Dragao this evening after a flight that was supposed to be carrying some 180 Manchester United fans was cancelled.
Supporters were left waiting at Manchester Airport for a gruelling ten hours before being informed their flight would not be taking off due to the fact there were no landing spots available in Porto.
Varela on striving to win
Porto midfielder, Alan Varela, says his team owe it to the fans to try and defeat Manchester United when they clash in the Europa League tonight.
Varela said: “We work at all times to win. In the first round that didn’t happen but we want it to happen now. The fans deserve it. The quality this squad has makes us believe in that, even if on the other side is a strong opponent like Manchester United.”
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