Manchester United were forced to settle for a point in a disappointing showing this evening. Leading through Christian Eriksen’s goal at half-time, they failed to push on and allowed their visitors a soft equaliser. Too many players had an off night yet again and it raises questions of their direction and style of play.
Twente, on the other hand, were delighted with their result. Although they had goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall to thanks for a series of great saves, they were not simply content to sit back and defend. They had several good chances of their own and could have stolen the win themselves.
Erik ten Hag named three changes from the scoreless draw with Palace at the weekend. Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte, and Harry Maguire all came back into the side. Kobee Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Matthjis de Ligt all dropped to the bench.
Twente arrived with a sizeable travelling support and almost found themselves in front within the first ten minutes. Diogo Dalot was slow to clear a corner and allowed his opposition full-back Bart van Rooij to dispossess him. He played a low ball into the path of Sam Lammers who was un-marked. He only managed to shoot straight at Andre Onana.
At the other end, Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee were constantly looking to link up with one another. The Dutch back-line had to be focused to block efforts from the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen, but they were unable to test the goalkeeper.
The closest Utd came via a Twente mistake. Lisandro Martinez met a corner from Eriksen with a header at the back post. It was looking comfortable for Lars Unnerstall before it took a deflection off Mees Tilgers. The away goalkeeper had to adjust quickly to send it around the post.
Chances were few and far apart as the home side were struggling to get behind the opposition defence. The best movement came when Dalot fed Rashford out wide. His cross into the centre was just in front of the stretching Zirkzee.
They were beginning to build up a head of steam and found themselves in front just after the half-hour. After a patient build-up through midfield involving a number of players, it was played into Dalot who had come forward. He was tackled but the ball fell loose to the edge of the area where Eriksen was lurking. He swept a wonderful curling effort into the top right-hand corner.
The reds were generally comfortable for the remainder of the half and could have gone in further in front. They got free on the right-hand side as their movement dragged Anass Salah-Eddine out of position. Noussair Mazraoui fired in a fierce cross-shot which Unnerstall did well to hold onto.
The home side continued in their confident form and pressed Twente back after the break. They had opportunities to get a second through Amad Diallo and Harry Maguire, but neither were able to beat Unnerstall.
The best chance that Twente had was a free kick from Sem Steijn after a late challenge from Martinez that forced a save from Onana.
Utd were not pushing on for the second and paid the price with sloppy play. Van Rooij was allowed to advance forward from right back, beating several weak challenges on the way. It appeared that the situation had been dealt with, but Eriksen went from hero to villain as he was dispossessed to afford Landers the time to get into the box and shoot past Onana.
Zirkzee almost fired Utd back in front when he found some room in the box. His effort was well saved by Unnerstall though. The game was increasingly stretched, and Ten Hag decided to make a triple substitution. Bruno Fernandes who was having a frustrating game then saw a curling effort go just wide.
Much of the attacking efforts seemed increasingly desperate as the game approached its finale. Unnerstall produced another excellent save in the last minute as he saved the blushes of substitute Gijs Besselink. He managed to flick a Harry Maguire header goalwards before his keeper bailed him out.
Elation for the 4000 supporters from Holland on the final whistle. Frustration from the home support. It heaps more pressure upon Erik Ten Hag in this protracted and extended European campaign. It will need a major lift in quality ahead of the visit of Tottenham on Sunday at 16:30 and the away trip to Porto next Thursday at 20:00. Our guests will have a home game against NAC Breda on Sunday before they take on Fenerbache.
Manchester Utd: Andre Onana; Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez (Jonny Evans 77), Harry Maguire, Diego Dalot; Manuel Ugarte, Christian Eriksen (Kobee Mainoo 79), Amad Diallo (Alejandro Garnacho 66), Bruno Fernandes; Marcus Rashford (Rasmus Hojlund 79), Joshua Zirkzee (Mason Mount 79).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Matthjis De Ligt, Carlos Casemiro, Antony, Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Toby Collyer
Booked: Lisandro Martinez (57)
Sent off: None
FC Twente: Lars Unnerstall; Anass Salah-Eddine, Max Bruns, Mees Hilgers, Bart van Rooij; Michel Vlap (Mathias Kjolo 60), Youri Regeer (Gustaf Lagerbielke 83), Mitchel van Bergen (Sayfallah Ltaief 73), Sem Steijn (Daan Rots 60); Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Sam Lammers (Gijs Besselink 83)
Subs not used: Carel Eiting, Issam El Maach, Julien Mesbahi, Mats Rots, Przemyslaw Tyton, Alec Van Hoorenbeeck
Booked: Max Bruns (13), Lammers (77), Ricky van Wolfswinkel (82)
Sent off: None
Referee: Simone Sozza
Stretty News Player of the Match: Bart van Rooij