Christian Eriksen played a pivotal yet conflicting role for Manchester United as Erik ten Hag’s team faltered at the start of their Europa League campaign, being held to a draw against the manager’s boyhood club, Twente.
Eriksen opened the scoring for United with a brilliant first-half strike from inside the penalty area. However, he later became the villain when he was dispossessed by Sam Lammers just outside United’s box.
Lammers capitalized on the mistake, firing a powerful shot past Andre Onana.
Ten Hag’s side had chances to secure a win late in the game, but Twente goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall thwarted Joshua Zirkzee’s effort, which was on target. Earlier, Unnerstall had made an impressive save to prevent Mees Hilgers from scoring an own goal.
Bruno Fernandes, the home team captain, came close, and substitute Kobbie Mainoo had a penalty appeal denied.
Following their disappointing bottom-place finish in last season’s Champions League group stage, this was not the ideal start to their new European campaign, with a tough trip to Porto looming on October 3.
Despite the setback, United remains unbeaten in four matches, although the last two have ended in draws. The new format gives them ample time to recover and improve.
Rashford tries to catch Carsley’s eye
Interim England manager Lee Carsley is set to announce his squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and Finland next week.
With that in mind, although it seemed unusual for Marcus Rashford to start two cup games while being a substitute for the Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, this was an opportunity for the striker to impress Carsley, who was watching from the directors’ box.
It’s unclear whether Carsley appreciates ‘flip-flap’ skills or follows viral social media moments, but if he does, Rashford surely caught his eye.
The forward dazzled former Norwich striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel with a series of right and left foot moves, eventually slipping the ball through his legs and continuing his run.
Unfortunately for Rashford and United, his cross was intercepted, but the moment drew cheers from the crowd both in the stadium and at home.
Rashford had a productive start to the game, including a 60-yard run from his own half to the edge of the Twente penalty area, where he played a pass to Joshua Zirkzee.
However, Zirkzee’s touch couldn’t quite match Rashford’s precision.
Rashford also set up another pass for Zirkzee, putting the Dutch forward in a promising position that he couldn’t capitalize on. Another forceful run by Rashford into the Twente box was halted by a desperate challenge from Van Rooij.
When Rashford was substituted 11 minutes from time, he received warm applause from the home crowd—a contrast to the light boos that accompanied the final whistle. This positive reception has not always been the case for him in recent times.
Eriksen’s night to remember – and forget
Twente’s equalizer marked a disappointing end to Christian Eriksen’s significant contribution in the match. He was substituted later as Manchester United turned to their bench in a fruitless attempt to find a winner.
Eriksen, who seemed set to leave Old Trafford over the summer, has now started four consecutive games since United’s heavy defeat to Liverpool before the last international break.
His composed presence on the field was evident, and his goal was outstanding. After Bruno Fernandes passed the ball into the box to Diogo Dalot, it broke to Eriksen, who struck a clean, accurate, and powerful shot into the far-right corner—his third goal of the season.
This is already his best return since the 2020-21 campaign at Inter Milan, where he scored four goals before his heart issue paused his career.
Although United struggled against a determined but limited Twente side, Eriksen’s goal seemed likely to secure the win until Bart van Rooij’s unchecked 50-yard run. Despite several chances to stop him, including from Eriksen, United’s defense faltered.
When Van Rooij was eventually stopped, United were left scrambling, and Eriksen didn’t have the time he needed.
Facing his own goal, he was left exposed, and, to his frustration, an onrushing opponent dispossessed him, leading to Sam Lammers’ equalizer for Twente.
Player of the match:
Number 10 – S. Lammers