Erik ten Hag accepts Manchester United must do better than squandering a 2-0 lead after Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time header salvaged a 3-3 draw away to Porto in the Europa League.
United were in need of a response from Sunday’s humiliating 3-0 Premier League defeat by Tottenham at Old Trafford.
It had looked like they would get one after racing into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes after early strikes from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund.
Maguire rescues a point for Man Utd ⏰#UEL pic.twitter.com/3BtA65toHt
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 3, 2024
Porto, though, quickly pulled a goal back through Pepe and Samu Omorodion equalised before half-time and then struck again soon after the restart.
United were reduced to 10 men with nine minutes left when captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second successive game after collecting a second yellow card for a high boot.
Ten Hag’s side, though, dug in to salvage a draw when substitute Maguire headed in from a corner during stoppage time.
“We started the game very good, scored two good goals, but then we lost control,” Ten Hag said on TNT Sports. “The start was good, the middle part was no good, then we finished very good.
“It is a tough place to go and we are coming back from a 3-2, then get the equaliser, so it is good for the spirit.
“You see again that the team is willing, strong character, but the middle part, the defending we have to improve.
“We have to be better on the ball and defend better.”
Pressed on his future, the Dutchman said: “We will get there. Don’t judge us in this moment, judge us at the end of the season.
“We are in the process, we will improve. We have two seasons now where we achieve finals, (so) just wait.
“We have to develop and progress this team. We will work and continue and we will fight.
“You see the spirit and the connection between the staff and the team, the players are together and want to achieve. We have that good mentality, but some defending parts we have to step up.”
Nice one, Harry 👊#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/t6MbYhqlKA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 3, 2024
Maguire accepts United need to show more resilience.
“When you get 2-0 up away from home at a place like this, you have to be a bit more solid and secure,” he said.
“There were far too many gaps, too many crosses coming into the box and they ultimately punished us for it.
“We played really well with the ball in the first half, we just have to do more without it.”
Maguire added: “It is something we need to reset and refocus, to go back to the game plan which got us the lead in the first place.
“It is something that we will speak about – if we want to be successful this season then we can’t be conceding two goals in as many minutes as we have done this evening.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres, Sesko and Arsenal now Tottenham have made a bid worth £70 million for Mbeumo Inter Miami ready for FIFA Club World Cup "Arrogant" vs "Style" Guess who is he Only the real ones will understand this The top four loaned things in the world Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfoot...
Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States as he is stuck in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.Flights from all Iranian airports have been grounded following an exchange of military strikes between Iran and Israel over the past two days.That meant the Iran international was unable to take his schedule...
WHAT HAPPENED?Manchester United have accelerated talks in the last two days as they target the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, according to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato. The Red Devils have reportedly intensified discussions with the player's agent and have made contact with the club regarding the potential terms of a deal for the Frenchman.THE BIGGER PICTUREA strike...
Viktor Gyokeres has snubbed a move to Manchester United, as per reports from Portugal.The Swedish forward was rumoured to be linking up with Old Trafford to join forces once more with ex-Sporting Lisbon gaffer Ruben Amorim. Record claims that Gyokeres has binned off the chance to don the famous Red Devils shirt, with his reps giving United the cold shoulder.Arsenal now seem to be at the front of t...
Nico Williams' private words to Yamal and Barca team-mates revealedNico Williams is doing everything in his power to join Barcelona this summer. Following his agent's meeting with Barca sporting director Deco, Williams' private conversations with Yamal and Barca team-mates within the Spain squad have now been revealed.No agreement between Como and City to sign Perrone permanentlyFabrizio Romano ha...
Viktor Gyokeres' dream destination revealed after Man United snubViktor Gyokeres reportedly has his heart set on a move to Arsenal this summer after rejected the chance to join up with Ruben Amorim at Man United.The 27-year-old is increasingly likely to leave Sporting this summer despite ongoing issues with the Portuguese champions hierarchy.Man United are understood to have made an approach but w...
Gennaro Gattuso agrees to become new Italy managerGennaro Gattuso has reportedly agreed to take over the Italy national team, replacing Luciano Spalletti after his dramatic dismissal. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 47-year-old will become the new manager of the Italy national team following Spaletti’s departure.The former Napoli manager was let go following a string of disappointing resul...
'Very self-destructive' - Luis de la Fuente hits out at Lamine Yamal criticsSpain manager Luis de la Fuente has vented his frustrations at the country's "self-destructive" tendencies after recent criticism of youngster Lamine Yamal.The 17-year-old was heavily critcised for an uncharacteristically quite showing in Spain’s penalty defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.Yamal remains arg...
Alisson rejects chance to leave LiverpoolLiverpool goalkeeper Alisson has reportedly rejected an offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray as he seeks to play out his contract at the Premier League club.According to Florian Plettenberg, Alisson, 32, had received a ‘concrete offer’ from the Turkish giants who are set to be very active this transfer window.The Brazilian has since rejected th...
Germany v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Third Place MatchFlorian Wirtz is set to become one of the top earners at Liverpool after his stunning £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen.Van Dijk SalahWHAT HAPPENED?Accoridng to Sky Sports, the 22-year-old will earn a base salary of £195,000 a week. That could rise to more than £245,000 based on individual and team bonuses, representing a p...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 5 Thomas Frank 'agrees' to take Tottenham job as Daniel Levy closes in on appointment
- 6 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 7 Bonnie Blue banned from adult site as controversial stunt 'crossed the line'
- 8 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 9 Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plans
- 10 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack