Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag asked fans to be patient after his team fought hard to earn a 3-3 draw with FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday. United took an early 2-0 lead with goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund, but Porto responded with three goals. A late header from Harry Maguire in stoppage time saved a point for United.
The draw adds to United’s struggles in Europe, marking five matches without a win in the competition. Domestically, the team is also under pressure as they sit in 13th place in the Premier League after a poor start to the season. However, Erik Ten Hag urged fans to consider the long-term process, saying that progress should be evaluated at the end of the season.
In a post-match interview, Erik Ten Hag shared that while the results are disappointing, he remains focused on the team’s growth and development, believing that they are working hard to achieve better outcomes.
Resilience Despite Setbacks
Erik Ten Hag highlighted the strong team spirit and connection within the squad. He praised the players for their unity and desire to improve, despite recent struggles. The manager also pointed out the need to strengthen their defensive performance.
United started the match in control, with Rashford scoring in the 12th minute, followed by a powerful goal from Højlund before the 30-minute mark. However, Porto capitalized on United’s defensive errors and turned the game around by scoring three times. United seemed to be heading for defeat until Maguire’s last-minute equalizer restored hope and lifted the team’s morale.
Bruno Fernandes Sees Red Again
Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a second consecutive match, leaving United with 10 men for much of the second half. This allowed Porto to maintain pressure and take advantage of their extra player.
“We started the game with a strong performance, scoring two goals early on. However, we lost our momentum and eventually trailed 3-2,” said Erik Ten Hag. “Despite this, our resilience shone through as we fought back to earn a draw. We need to improve our consistency, particularly in the middle portion of the game.”
Fernandes’ red card has drawn further attention to his discipline, but Ten Hag emphasized that the responsibility to improve falls on the whole team, particularly in defense.
Maguire: “Pressure Comes with Playing for United”
Harry Maguire, who scored the crucial equalizer, spoke about the pressure both he and the manager are under at the club. The defender acknowledged that tough times are part of the game but expressed confidence in Ten Hag’s ability to handle it.
Maguire, a long-serving player at the club, said, “I’ve been here for six years and know that challenging periods are part of football. Both players and managers feel the pressure, but our manager has the experience to guide us through.”
As Manchester United prepares to face Aston Villa in the Premier League, Erik Ten Hag will be looking for a positive result to ease the pressure and allow time for necessary improvements.
A Team in Transition
While the draw at Porto showed United’s resilience, it also exposed their defensive frailties. Letting go of a two-goal lead highlights the inconsistency that needs addressing. Erik Ten Hag’s calls for patience reflect the understanding that the team is in a rebuilding phase, but the lack of wins is concerning.
The upcoming game against Aston Villa could be a chance to turn things around, but with Fernandes suspended and defensive issues still unresolved, the focus will be on how Erik Ten Hag manages to lift his squad during this crucial time.
