Man United 1-1 Twente PLAYER RATINGS: Who placed on a present like Neymar?
Christian Eriksen had a game of two halves scoring a stunning opener in the first half for Manchester United, before making an awful error which led to FC Twente’s equaliser on Wednesday night.
But there was plenty to be excited about for United fans, with one of their stars playing like a young Neymar Jnr, thrilling throughout the game.
And which summer signing is sure to become a fan favourite at Old Trafford in no time at all after a performance of dogged determination in chasing down the ball?
It was a blow for Ten Hag coming up against his former side as they let slip two points from a winning position, though his side’s unbeaten run extends to four games now since the 3-0 drubbing by Liverpool.
Here, Mail Sport’s DOMINIC HOGAN rates the performances from Erik ten Hag‘s Red Devils on a night that saw them drop two points at home in the Europa League against their manager’s former club.
Christian Eriksen scored a stunning opener on 34 minutes to give Manchester United the lead
Marcus Rashford returned to the starting line up after being rested for the clash with Crystal Palace
Former Rangers striker Sam Lammers earned Twente a fully deserved point in the second half
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Andre Onana – 6.5
Operated with trademark confidence on the ball early on in the tie, but had scarcely a save to make in the first half. Was almost caught out by a first time effort from ex-Rangers striker Sam Lammers, though it was more a result of poor decision-making from Dalot than his own positioning.
Beaten at his near post by Lammers later for the visitors’ goal, though poor defensive work from his back four left Onana exposed, and he can’t take too much of the blame for the concession.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Beaten early on by Anass Salah-Eddine but recovered with a perfectly-timed challenge to quell the danger. Slightly wayward with his crossing, and offered little to no resistance for Twente’s goal rushing across to cover for the out-of-position Dalot.
Lisandro Martinez – 6.5
Slipped into the midfield at the base, allowing both Eriksen and Ugarte to move higher up the field when his side were in possession, but for a man nicknamed The Butcher it was a little surprising to see how easily he was breezed past by Bart van Rooij for the Twente goal.
Disappointing as his lack of input in that particular play was, some fine fancy footwork on 80 minutes at least elicited a cheer from the crowd playing out the back.
Andre Onana scarcely had a save to make for the first hour but was beaten by Lammers for Twente’s goal though his defence massively let him down
Lisandro Martinez played well for all but one minute of the game but was partly culpable for Twente’s goal after missing a tackle
Harry Maguire – 6.5
As ever, made a nuisance of himself in both boxes, and drew a good save just after the restart. But a rush of blood to the head saw him dive recklessly off his feet at Van Rooij and left his defence exposed for the Twente goal. Denied the equaliser by an instinctive bit of goalkeeper in added time.
Diogo Dalot – 6.5
Caught trying to be too clever inside eight minutes, but his lapse went unpunished. Went on to provide an interesting option overloading inside Rashford in attack Seemingly learned his lesson and remained composed on the ball for the rest of the game.
Christian Eriksen – 6.5
Played at the heart of midfield to be the bridge between defence and Bruno Fernandes, but struggled to bring rhythm early in the first half. More than made up for it with an absolute pearler for his third of the campaign – nothing fancy to it, just thundered his laces into it and took his chance emphatically.
His internal GPS let him down for the Twente goal, turning into danger outside the box to leave Lammers free to plunder a goal, a mistake which ultimately cost United two points.
Diogo Dalot was caught trying to be too clever early on and was almost punished for his error
Despite a stunning strike in the first half Eriksen was culpable for the visitors’ goal having his pocket picked in a dangerous area
Manuel Ugarte – 7
Struggled to make a pass beyond five yards in the early stages, but soon got into the swing of the game and maintained a physical presence as disruptor-in-chief in the centre of the pitch.
The second half saw him venture forward more often, and his stubborn refusal to stop running in pursuit of the ball and dogged determination to regain possession is sure to earn him plenty of new fans at Old Trafford in no time at all.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Looked relaxed, confident and assured as any player who has clearly been given the freedom to express themselves would be. A couple of nutmegs inside 10 minutes before a contemptuous career-ending flip-flap through the legs of Ricky van Wolfswinkel had Rashford looking like a young Neymar Jnr in the first half.
Perhaps could have been more selfish at times in the second half, but was clearly feared by a Twente defence who were surely pleased to see the back of him at 79 minutes.
Manuel Ugarte kept running throughout and his dogged determination to retrieve the ball will make him an Old Trafford favourite in no time
Rashford left defenders in his wake throughout the first half and looked to be playing with freedom and drive
Twente’s defence will have been happy to see the back of Rashford after he was substituted
Bruno Fernandes – 6.5
Uncharacteristically quiet on the night, but that was perhaps more down to his selfless work pressing and running behind the scenes than any poor performances.
Came painfully close to a second for United on 81 minutes with a very difficult chance, but couldn’t get his side over the line.
Amad Diallo – 6.5
While Rashford was a picture of controlled drive in the first half, Diallo’s lack of experience on the right shone through at times. Never stopped running, but rarely posed much of a threat once doing so on the night once Salah-Eddine realised all he had to do was stop the youngster coming onto his left foot.
Improved in the second half, but still predictably one-footed in his approach, though there was plenty of energy and intent from a player of whom much is expected from in the future.
Joshua Zirkzee – 7
A sumptuous one-two with Rashford in the 10th minute offered United fans plenty to be excited about, but despite getting himself in good positions, not a lot stuck in the first half. Perhaps forgivable given the biblical pre-match deluge.
Came very deep at times to link up the play, and while he often do so adeptly, it drew him away from the danger area. Similar to the criticism often levelled at Harry Kane at Tottenham, only the England captain more often than not still found a way to score. Showed off brilliant feet to manufacture a chance shortly before being taken off, and is already hinting at a strong understanding with Rashford going forward.
Joshua Zirkzee came deep to link up the play adeptly and already looks to be forming a strong bond with Rashford
Zirkzee came close to a winner late on after some fabulous footwork but his effort was well saved
Subs:
Alejandro Garnacho 6 (on for Amad 65′)
Mason Mount (on for Zirkzee at 79′)
Rasmus Hojlund (on for Rashford at 79′)
Kobbie Mainoo (on for Eriksen at 79′)
Erik ten Hag – 6.5
Was proactive in his substitutions after going a goal down, but curiously took his best player in Rashford off the field. His side were hit on the counter, and he will likely be concerned by the fact Van Rooij managed to squirm through three bodies before a single tackle was offered.
Subs not used: Altay Bayindir, Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton, Matthijs De Ligt, Antony
