FC Twente held Manchester United to a disappointing 1-1 draw in their opening Europa League game of the 2024–25 season.
Ten minutes before the half, Christian Eriksen scored an incredible finish from inside the area to break the tie.
Up until Eriksen’s crucial error in the 68th minute, which allowed Sam Lammers to tie the score, United was mainly ahead and coasting.
Out of their 19 attempts at goal, Erik ten Hag’s team managed five shots that found the target. Conversely, FC Twente managed seven shots, with Andre Onana having to step in for three of them.
57% of the ball was under the control of the Red Devils. The Eredivisie team, in contrast, enjoyed 43% of the possession. United completed 541 passes with an 85% pass completion rate. Twente completed 86% of the 406 passes that were strung.
Marcus Rashford was among the few United players who stood out from the crowd.
Alejandro Garnacho was selected by Ten Hag in place of Rashford in his team’s starting lineup for last weekend’s match against Crystal Palace.
Nevertheless, Rashford gave a magnificent performance against Twente, making Ten Hag reconsider removing him once more.
Rashford had 49 touches of the ball in his 79 minutes on the Old Trafford field.
With 25 out of the 33 passes he attempted finding his teammates, he managed an individual pass accuracy of 76%. He completed two crucial passes.
The England international attempted to make contact with three long balls and two crosses. With only one long ball that he pinged and none of his crosses, he found his intended target.
Two of the forward’s attempts to hit Lars Unnerstall were blocked.
Rashford started and finished all four of his dribbles. On defense, he was outstanding. The 26-year-old prevailed in the one aerial challenge he took part in as well as five of the six ground duels he engaged in.
The alumnus of Carrington Academy made half as many interceptions and two clearances.
He made one tackle as well.
(Figures sourced from Sofascore)
The next game for United is against Tottenham Hotspur, and if Rashford starts that game, I doubt many people will be upset.
Michael Regan is the featured image via Getty Images.