Eriksen’s story of two halves turned Utd’s European opener ‘right into a canine’s dinner’
Great Dane Christian Eriksen scored a stunning strike, before turning Manchester United’s Europa League opener into a dog’s dinner.
Eriksen scored his first goal in Europe for United since joining them in 2022. But a game United should have won was turned on its head, when a mistake from Eriksen allowed Sam Lammers to secure a famous draw for Dutch minnows FC Twente.
Erik Ten Hag had admitted to mixed emotions before kick off. He has a long history with Twente, and knew it wasn’t nice to ‘have to hurt something you love’.
READ MORE: Ten Hag’s rights and wrongs as United held by plucky Twente in the Europa League
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But all the pain came in the opposite direction, on another night to forget for Ten Hag and his flops at Old Trafford. And with games to come against Tottenham, Porto and Aston Villa, it could become unbearable for Ten Hag before the next international break.
Ten Hag grew up supporting Twente, before going on to have three spells there as a player, made more appearances then anyone else and helped them win the Dutch Cup in 2001.
(Image: Getty Images)
If Ten Hag hadn’t been in the home dugout, he would have been amongst the 3,500 travelling fans that had made the trip to Manchester. Yet his team selection suggested he was in no mood to offer his old club some favours.
Ten Hag made three changes, which included the recall of Marcus Rashford and a first start for summer signing Manuel Ugarte. It was a strong looking line-up – one which had been expected to record a comfortable win.
But Ten Hag saw Ugarte concede possession three times in the opening seven minutes, while Lammers side-footed a shot a whisker wide as Twente threatened to take a shock lead.
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
The Twente contingent in the posh seats had jumped to their feet thinking it had gone in. If it was supposed to give United a kick-up the backside, it didn’t work.
Rashford tried to inject some life into his side with a couple of surging runs which came to nothing, while Bruno Fernandes saw a shot blocked.
But there was little for home fans to get excited about. The closest United came to ending the tedium was when Twente offered to do it for them, with Mees Hilgers almost scoring a spectacular own goal.
(Image: Getty Images)
It took a stunning save from Lars Unnerstall to spare is team-mate’s blushes. But 10 minutes before half time Eriksen ended the stalemate with an impressive strike from just inside the box.
Yet Andre Onana was forced into a smart save to keep out Anass Salah-Eddine’s free kick, before Mees Hilgers headed over from a corner. United needed the comfort blanket of a second goal.
But it was Twente who scored next, to leave Old Trafford stunned. And Eriksen went from hero to zero, losing the ball deep in his own half to Lammers, who sprinted clear before beating Onana at his near post.
(Image: Getty Images)
Ten Hag made a triple substitution and threw on Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount in a bid to spare all the blushes.
But there was little the trio could do to save Ten Hag and his men from finishing the game with faces as red as their famous shirts.
Leaving Ten Hag to trudge off down the touchline, while Twente’s stars celebrated a famous night in front of their ecstatic fans.
