What a pale start that was! Manchester United’s UEFA Europa League campaign kicked off on Wednesday night with a disappointing 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford.Christian Eriksen’s stunning strike had put Erik ten Hag’s in front, but the same player lost the crucial ball which allowed the visitors to level the score through Lammers.The Dane scored a true belter around the 35-th minute mark as he collected a loose ball just inside the Twente box and blasted it beyond the helpless keeper.🍷🇩🇰 32-year-old Christian Eriksen in last 3 starts for Manchester United:▪️3 goals ▪️1 assist Timeless 💫 pic.twitter.com/gVaBJNtTNt— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) September 25, 2024 A deserved lead, however, didn’t allow United to impose any sort of domination confronted with a die-hard Dutch side.Inspired Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford did their best to double the lead, but despite some creative moves and applause-worth assists it stayed 1-0 on the scoreboard at the half time.Alas, it went downhill for the Red Devils after the interval, and Eriksen was again under the spolitght. For all the wrong reasons this time, though. He was robbed in his half, and Lammers swiftly punished the home side with a resolute shot past Onana.🚨🇪🇺 GOAL | Manchester United 1-1 Twente | Sam LammersTWENTE HAVE EQUALIZED AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED !!!!!#MUNTWE pic.twitter.com/PN7sVNt6hk— ▌ 𝕋𝕖𝕒𝕞 𝕆𝕗 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔻𝕒𝕪® (@TOTD22) September 25, 2024 All of a sudden, Twente were back in the game, and that restored confidence allowed them to successfully implement their defensive strategy until the end. Ten Hag’s boys pushed hard for the winner, but will have to settle with a single point in this Europa League opener. Thankfully for them, there are at least seven more games to go.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE – ROUND 1WednesdayAZ Alkmar – Elfsborg 3-2 (1-1)/Van Bommel 44, 50, Parrott 75 pen – Ouma 23, Hedlund 53/Bodo – Porto 3-2 (2-1) /Hogh 15, Hauge 40,62 – Omorodion 8, Gul 90/Anderlecht – Ferencvaros 2-1 (2-1)/Verschaeren 60, Dolberg 66 pen – Traore 86/Dynamo Kiev – Lazio 0-3 (0-3)/Dia 4,35, Dele-Bashiru 33/Galatasaray – PAOK 3-1 (3-1)/Baba 48 og, Akgun 75, Icardi 90+5 – Konstantelias 67/Ludogorets – Slavia Praha 0-2 (0-1)/Jurasek 37, Chytil 65/Man Utd – Twente 1-1 (1-0)/Eriksen 35 – Lammers 68/Midtjylland – Hoffenheim 1-1 (1-0)/Osorio 42 – Moerstedt 89/Nice – Sociedad 1-1 (0-1)/Rosari0 45 – Barrenetxea 18/Thursday19:45: (1.60) Fenerbahce (3.90) St.Gilloise (6.00)19:45: (2.40) Malmo (3.45) Rangers (3.15)22:00: (2.00) Ajax (3.60) Besiktas (4.00)22:00: (2.15) Roma (3.45) Ath.Bilbao (3.70)22:00: (1.53) Braga (4.20) Maccabi T.A. (6.25)22:00: (1.35) Eintr.Frankfurt (5.00) Plzen (9.00)22:00: (1.60) FCSB (3.90) Rigas (6.00)22:00: (1.90) Olympique Lyon (3.60) Olympiakos (4.50)22:00: (1.15) Tottenham (8.00) Qarabag (16.0)***odds are subject to change***
