UEFA Europa League: Twente snatch point at Old Trafford

Manchester United was forced to a 1-1 by FC Twente draw at Old Trafford on Wednesday night as the Red Devils started their campaign in Europe’s second-tier club cup competition. 

It was the first-ever meeting between Erik Ten Hag’s United side and the club where he started his professional career as a boyhood Twente fan.

It was the visitors who had the first chance at scoring when Sam Lammers was picked out in United’s box but couldn’t nick an opener.

Soon enough, the hosts found their groove in the contest as the pair of Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes saw their shots blocked, with the former celebrating his third goal at home shortly before halftime.

The former Tottenham Hotspurs and Inter Milan midfielder pounced on a loose ball and blasted into the top corner to give the hosts a lead with the game heading into the break.

FC Twente, tutored by Joseph Oosting, came out looking refreshed in the second half, and the Dutch visitor had the game firmly in their hands.

Their control of proceedings almost resulted in a goal before the sixty-minute mark when Sam Stein attempted to sneak a low free-kick into Onana’s far post, but the Cameroon international was able to change his position to parry the ball away.

Twente couldn’t be denied forever as they leveled in the sixty-eighth minute after Bart can Rooij blitzed forward. The fullback was disposed, but United’s scorer – Erkisen’s slouchy reaction allowed Lammers to nick it away and bear down on goal before beating Onana at his near post.

The result means the Red Devils, who are taking part in the Europa for the fourth time in eleven years after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, have failed to take all three points against one of the lowest-ranked sides in the competition.