Christian Eriksen goes from hero to villain as Manchester United held to Europa League draw by Twente

Christian Eriksen adopted a ferocious end with a pricey mistake as Manchester United started the Europa League with a 1-1 draw in opposition to Erik ten Hag’s former membership FC Twente.

This was a continental marketing campaign few anticipated the Purple Devils to be embarking on having missed out on European qualification by means of the Premier League final time period.

However Might’s shock FA Cup triumph in opposition to rivals Manchester Metropolis secured United a Europa League spot and so they opened the new-look league section in irritating vogue in opposition to the Eredivisie aspect.

United boss Ten Hag spent a mixed 23 years at Twente throughout three stints as a participant after which in numerous teaching capacities, saying on the eve of the sport: “It’s not good to have to harm one thing you’re keen on.”

Eriksen’s first-half rocket put United on the right track to do exactly that, however the lowest-ranked aspect, by way of Uefa’s coefficient, heading to Outdated Trafford on this revamped group section had different concepts.

Sam Lammers went shut with an early strike and was to not be denied a well-known Outdated Trafford aim, dispossessing Eriksen because the midfielder became hazard after which all too simply beating Andre Onana within the second half.

Twente’s largest ever European travelling help went wild and had made themselves heard lengthy earlier than kick-off, together with bellowing Steve McClaren’s title when their title-winning ex-manager was launched.

Sir Alex Ferguson helped current his former assistant with a present, with McClaren having not too long ago ended his most up-to-date spell with United, and the Jamaica boss witnessed an intense begin by his former golf equipment.

Twente boss Joseph Oosting expressed perception on Tuesday that his crew may damage United and Lammers so practically gave them a well-known lead in entrance of the Stretford Finish.

Bart van Rooij dispossessed dithering Diogo Dalot within the nook and despatched in a low cross to the close to submit, the place the ahead’s snapshot flew simply throughout the face of aim with eight minutes on the clock.

Twente’s vivid, assured begin continued as United have been blunted by a mix of last-ditch defending and poor determination making.

In truth, the primary shot on Lars Unnerstall’s aim got here from the boot of a Twente participant and the goalkeeper needed to be alert to cease Mees Hilgers’ clearance fizzing into the highest nook.

United didn’t handle a shot on the right track till the thirty fifth minute, and when it got here there was little Unnerstall may do.

The ball fell free within the field after Dalot was closed down and Eriksen reacted quickest to unleash a thumping first-time strike past Twente’s goalkeeper.

Marcus Rashford seemed vigorous earlier than and after that aim, with Harry Maguire seeing an try stopped from a nook early within the second interval.

However United’s management had now loosened and Onana obtained down low to make sure a 30-yard Sem Steijn free-kick didn’t creep house in entrance of Twente’s 4,000-or-so followers.

The guests smelt blood and sparked bedlam within the 68th minute.

Van Rooij’s driving run from deep in his personal half was lastly stopped in United territory, just for unaware Eriksen to show into hazard. Lammers took the ball off his toe, continued ahead and easily beat Onana at his close to submit.

It was a intestine punch United desperately tried to bounce again from.

Joshua Zirkzee was denied, Bruno Fernandes bent off track and Alejandro Garnacho curled over.

Penalty claims after Kobbie Mainoo went down have been waved away and Twente survived penalty-box melees in added time.