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Manchester United took on FC Twente at Old Trafford to open their Europa League campaign.
Andre Onana started in goal with Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui keeping their place from the 0-0 draw versus Crystal Palace. Harry Maguire came in for Matthijs de Ligt for the only change in the backline.
Christian Eriksen remarkably played his fourth consecutive game and he was joined by newest signing Manuel Ugarte, who replaced young Kobbie Mainoo. Bruno Fernandes took his usual spot as the number 10.
Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford once again flanked Joshua Zirkzee in attack.
Here are three things we learned from the clash.
United struggle to break down a low block
It would be harsh to characterise Twente’s performance as parking the bus as they generated some of the game’s best chances, but they also defended deeply at times, frustrating Ten Hag’s side.
United did create 19 chances but only five on target was a disappointing return.
The Red Devils rarely tested the Twente keeper and their play was often laborious and poorly connected.
There were moments from Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford, who attempted to ignite the crowd by running at the defence, but it rarely caused genuine concern for a resolute Dutch back line.
It tells its own story that Twente’s keeper Lars Unnerstall’s two best saves were from deflected efforts from his own defenders rather than from a United player.
It will be a worrying sign for the manager after thrashing Barnsley 7-0 last week, they have registered a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace and a 1-1 against a team most would expect them to beat quite handsomely.
Erik ten Hag continues to make poor substitutions
The Dutch manager once again finds himself under the microscope with two successive poor draws.
Last weekend in the Premier League, he was criticised for bringing off Eriksen and Zirkzee, which ruined United’s attacking threat and he was arguably responsible for the same thing tonight.
Whilst United failed to attack with the same swagger as they did at Selhurst Park, Rashford and Diallo were arguably the best forwards on the pitch.
Both were removed from the action midway through the second half and their replacements, Garnacho and Hojlund, failed to make much impact upon the game.
With three objectively tougher fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur, FC Porto and Aston Villa before the next international break, things could look a lot hairier for the manager sooner rather than later.
Christian Eriksen is becoming undroppable despite his error
Eriksen underlined his growing importance in the team with a well struck effort that flew into the top corner to give United a much-needed lead entering into half-time.
The Dane was touted to be sold this summer, with United reportedly placing a price tag as low as €5 million on his head.
Unsurprisingly he started the season on the bench but he has played in all four of United’s games since the international break and has added three goals and an assist in this time.
He crucially provided a creative spark in the middle of the park and regularly caused Twente’s defence numerous problems by dropping into spaces between the midfield and defensive lines.
There will come a point where the 32 year old will not be able to play every game and whilst his high level of performance is an unexpected blessing, it also creates an issue that Erik ten Hag needs to solve.
Perhaps this was best exemplified by his tired looking effort to shepherd the ball from danger which resulted in the error that led to Twente grabbing their equalising goal.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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