Porto v Manchester United LIVE: Latest score as Hojlund and ...
United boss Erik ten Hag is under intense scrutiny as he takes his side to face Porto in the second round of Europa League matches
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Manchester United face Porto tonight in the second match of their 2024/25 Europa League campaign.
Erik ten Hag’s side are looking to bounce back from their humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Spurs last weekend with the Dutchman is under plenty of pressure after a string of disappointing results.
Rumours have circulated that Ten Hag has just two games to save his job, after a run of results that also included a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace and a 1-1 draw with FC Twente in United’s first game of the new league phase.
Porto have not had United’s struggles in the league, though they did lose 3-2 to Bodo/Glimt in their first Europa League match, so perhaps tonight can be a much-needed victory for Ten Hag ahead of the weekend’s test away at Aston Villa.
Follow all the latest updates from the Europa League clash below:
Tonight could well be a massive game for the future of Erik ten Hag, who is under the microscope as Manchester United boss.
There is real scope that a bad performance tonight could cost him his job - and as such, he’s made one final plea to his players.
“We have to see a reaction. Of course, we need a reaction,” he said on TNT Sports.
“We have to do everything well. It’s a very good opponents and it’s a challenge, but we want those challenges. We need to have the winning mentality that things will go well.
“When things are going wrong, that’s the moment you have to keep the faith.”
Will Castle3 October 2024 19:52
“The big story today is that in that first half,” he said on Sky Sports. “You can’t say it came from nowhere because Manchester United have been inconsistent all season, but they have chosen to put in their very worst performance, their very worst possible showing.
“It was an absolutely disgusting performance in that first half in effort, quality, everything you want in a football team and there are going to be questions to answer for that group (of players) and the manager in the next week.”
Mike Jones3 October 2024 19:45
In a segment on Monday Night Football, the former Liverpool centre-back highlighted three incidents during the first half at Old Trafford where Spurs were able to counter-attack against United and said De Ligt was at fault.
The Netherlands international and former Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich defender has only made four Premier League starts for United but has been caught out in the defeats to Liverpool and now Spurs.
Mike Jones3 October 2024 19:39
“I’ve heard a lot of people saying that they have a rope around their necks,” said Bruno when asked by United’s form.
“But, no, no, we are just looking at our objective and that is to reach the next stage. We always see them as a threat, not as a good point to take them on.
“We have to just be ourselves and look at them the way the way we have to look at them, with respect, a lot of respect, with a lot of individuals.
“I know what you mean talking about their last match, but we must see the whole not the last one.”
Mike Jones3 October 2024 19:33
Just under half an hour to go until things kick off in Porto.
Erik ten Hag will be desperate for his side to bounce back from Sunday’s disastrous defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, but Porto will no doubt pose a difficult challenge.
Rasmus Hojlund is back up top - can he prove the difference?
Will Castle3 October 2024 19:32
Porto coach, Vitor Bruno, says he is expecting Man Utd to be a tough team to beat tonight despite them going through a rough patch in terms of form.
Bruno said: “Even though Manchester United are going through a difficult period, it’s a club with history and European experience, which has great individual values.
“We cannot underestimate them. At the same time, we must always aim to achieve victory, because representing this club means that.”
Mike Jones3 October 2024 19:27
Erik ten Hag spoke about what he is expecting from tonight’s match saying: “We know that Porto are a good team, with good players and good strategy. We have to play good football to get a positive result. The way they attack, with dynamism and creativity, and the way they defend, with aggressivness, will be a real challenge for use.
“The team is frustrated, due to the defeat at the weekend and also for not winning in three games. When we are not winning, we get very disappointed. But we have to turn things around, with all the players having to be up to the task in every game. Opponents are always 100 per cent motivated against us and we have to be prepared for that.”
Mike Jones3 October 2024 19:21
The Estadio do Dragao is not an easy place to visit - just ask Arsenal.
Will Castle3 October 2024 19:19
Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United’s poor start to the campaign is nothing “to panic about” as the under-fire manager ignores talk of the sack and focuses on ending the season with more silverware.
May’s FA Cup final win against rivals Manchester City was the high point in a miserable campaign and helped save the Dutchman’s job after lengthy deliberation by ambitious Ineos.
But Ten Hag’s third season in charge has begun in alarming fashion, with Sunday’s 3-0 home humbling by Tottenham ratcheting up the pressure on the United manager.
Mike Jones3 October 2024 19:15
There will be a fair few empty seats in the away end of the Estadio do Dragao this evening after a flight that was supposed to be carrying some 180 Manchester United fans was cancelled.
Supporters were left waiting at Manchester Airport for a gruelling ten hours before being informed their flight would not be taking off due to the fact there were no landing spots available in Porto.
Will Castle3 October 2024 19:15
