Erik ten Hag came into Thursday night’s clash against Porto needing a better performance from his players but, above all, a better result. And for 20 minutes he seemed to have just that.
The Dutchman’s ability to draw tone from his troops when they need it most seemed to materialize once again as goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund gave the Premier League side a commanding lead.
But unlike must-win games of the past, the Red Devils were unable to defend their beleaguered boss.
It seemed that way until Harry Maguire rescued a point at the end and possibly rescued his manager’s job.
Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT was on hand at the Estadio do Dragao to reveal how each other’s players got on.
Harry Maguire rescued a point for Manchester United with an accurate header in the final minutes of the match
Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second time in four days at the Estadio Do Dragao
Samu Omorodion’s double, either side of half-time, completed Porto’s exciting comeback
UNITED MAN
André Onana – 6
He made an impressive save to stop a Noussair Mazraoui own goal but was left exposed by his defenders as United squandered a 2-0 lead.
He needs to ask himself serious questions because he has a stable group in front of him and mistakes are basic. We made some key stops to keep this from looking worse than it already was.
Diogo Dalot – 4
He continues to find himself exposed playing out of position at left back. It was clear that Porto’s game plan identified their former player as the weak link.
He got burned in the first half and was caught between giving up and pressing to stop the cross. How desperately United need a fit orthodox left-back… but that won’t happen against Villa on Sunday.
Lisandro Martínez – 4.5
He didn’t cover himself in glory with his positioning for Porto’s first goal and was too easily outpaced for the third.
I was working closely with Ten Hag before flying to Porto on his positioning and when to be aggressive and committed. The clouded thinking here cost him at crucial moments.
Diogo Dalot continues to look exposed playing out of position at left back for the Red Devils
Matthijs de Ligt had to do better in the area, marking one of the most sought-after shooters in Europe
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
He simply has to do much better in the area guarding one of Europe’s most sought-after shooters.
He makes a dangerous clearance moments before Porto tied 2-2 and then lost his man for the goal. In the third goal he moves away and is punished. You will have heard all the noise and criticism from Jamie Carragher, Paul Scholes and others and this strengthened their arguments.
You will be bitterly disappointed when you watch this one again.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5.5
He won many aerial duels with Porto by attacking the United area with balls inside. He was the least guilty on the baseline for the defensive collapse.
The fact that Porto rarely ventured on his side said it all. However, it doesn’t offer enough going forward, leaving you limited.
Casemiro – 4.5
I preferred Manuel Ugarte as a blocker against this defense, but he was too easy to beat. Little or no resistance from the opposition, again.
The big holes in United’s midfield don’t help them, but a player of his experience needs to do more to find a solution, right?
Christian Eriksen – 6.5
He set up Marcus Rashford for the first goal and was instrumental in the second goal. He still looks like a huge threat when released from defense.
He spoke passionately after the draw against FC Twente about those players who loved him the most. Well, this time it was not the effort, but rather the application, that cost them.
One of Marcus Rashford’s most brilliant performances in a long time. A goal and an assist to put Manchester United up 2-0
Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second time in two games. Frustration, even with his in the Premier League annulled, took hold of him
Rasmus Hojlund’s (pictured) first start of the season due to injury and he marked it with a goal
Marco Rashford – 7.5
One of his brightest displays in a long time. A goal and an assist to put United up 2-0 was nothing more than his frontal performance deserved.
On the day he was once again snubbed by the England team, it was a timely reminder of how lethal he can be in mid-flight.
Too bad it ended after 45 minutes for what apparently seemed like an injury precaution.
Bruno Fernandez – 3
Sent off for the second time in two games. Frustration, even after overturning the Premier League, got the best of him on a night in which he remained largely anonymous.
In the position he plays and the responsibility that comes with wearing the captain’s armband, he simply needs to do more to impact the game than he did here on a punishing night in his home country.
Amad Diallo – 5
He seemed hesitant too often when running towards his side. It had little to no impact on the game and that’s not good enough.
It was no surprise when he was among the first to be hooked and replaced by Antony, with fewer spots.
Rasmus Hojlund – 7
His first start of the season due to injury and he marked it with a goal. He makes runs that Joshua Zirkzee simply doesn’t make and a fit Hojlund should start every game from now on.
A really promising performance from the young Dane.
They came into a game they had to win and had a dream start with a 2-0 lead. But Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United collapses in Europe
Coach: Erik ten Hag 4
They came into a game they had to win and had a dream start with a 2-0 lead. But his Manchester United teams collapse in Europe. Déjà vu.
PORTO (4-3-3):
D Costa 3, Moura 6.5, Pedro 6, Pérez 5, Joao Mario 4.5 (D Gul 78); Nico 6, Eustaquio 5 (Vieira 78), Varela 6.5; Pepe 7 (M Fernandes 63, 6), Omorodion 8.5 (Grujic 78), Galen 7
Unused substitutes: Borges, Claudio Ramos, Danny, Djalo, Franco, Ivan Jaime, R Mora, Sousa
Coach: Vítor Bruno 7