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Manchester United needed to open their Europa League campaign with a win after their wasteful display against Crystal Palace at the weekend but they looked slow and laborious and were made to pay as FC Twente secured a historic point at Old Trafford.
The hosts took the lead through Christian Eriksen in the first half but the Dane’s mistake allowed the Dutch team to equalise and United failed to grab a winner.
The Red Devils had 19 shots and while that might make it look like they were raining shots on Lars Unnerstall’s goal but that was far from the case.
Apart from a late melee inside the box which he saved well, Unnerstall’s biggest concern came from his own defenders who almost conceded a comical own goal.
Slow and laborious approach
United seemed content to just have the ball and pass it among themselves with no real attacking impetus with the players taking too much time on the ball and not getting the ball wide quick enough.
United have had a problem with scoring this season and that is partly down to Bruno Fernandes’ poor form so far this season.
The skipper does not look like his usual self, and on Wednesday, his passing was wayward and hardly managed to create chances for his teammates while spurning a glorious opportunity in the second half.
The Portuguese has usually pulled a rabbit out of the hat in previous seasons when the chips have been down but is yet to get on the scoresheet this campaign.
Erik ten Hag spoke of how he wanted dynamic and fast football from his players while controlling the tempo of the game. And just like last season, he has failed to get the team playing in the way he desires.
While the 20-time English league champions had most of the ball, they were far from fast and almost took things too easy after scoring.
EtH struggling
And the Dutchman’s substitutions are not helping. When the team needed a goal, he took off Marcus Rashford who was having a good game for a midfielder.
Two forwards and a midfielder being replaced by two midfielders and a forward seems a strange approach when a win is required. The Mancunian seemed the most likely to salvage a win while it was the captain who needed to be subbed off.
With only three wins in eight games this season, the pressure keeps mounting on the former Ajax coach and so far, despite the improvements in style, results have just not been forthcoming.
Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa lie in wait in the league while they travel to Portugal to face Porto in Europe and INEOS might have a huge call to take during the next international break should results not go in United’s favour.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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