Harry Maguire scored a stoppage-time equaliser to help Manchester United earn a 3-3 draw against FC Porto in the Europa League.
With two goals in the opening 20 minutes, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund had given the visitors an incredible start.
However, Samu Omorodion’s double after Pepe’s goal put Porto back in the game had the English giants on the verge of defeat.
After that, Bruno Fernandes, United’s captain, was sent off for the second straight game; nonetheless, a corner header by Maguire allowed the 10 men to salvage a point.
After being held at home by FC Twente last week, Ten Hag’s club has now opened their Europa League season with two draws, placing them 21st out of 36 teams.
Furthermore, their manager will be under no less stress ahead of Sunday’s difficult Premier League trip to Aston Villa given the way they gave up after getting off to a quick start.
After winning the League Cup and FA Cup in his first two seasons as manager at Old Trafford, the former Ajax manager ended United’s six-year trophy drought. He has boldly defended his record.
Ten Hag also argued that he ought to be assessed at the conclusion of the season.
Even if Porto was the ones who created their own demise, Ten Hag could not have asked for a better beginning.
After a poor 2023–24 season, Rashford has shown signs of returning to his former form, as he opened the score with his fourth goal of the year.
The England forward darted past two Porto defenders and attempted a shot that Portugal’s top scorer, Diogo Costa, ought to have blocked.
After that, Rashford created the second goal when he feed Hojlund, who once more past Costa at his near post with a strong strike.
However, United’s two-goal lead was erased in seven minutes, just as Ten Hag was starting to feel relieved on the sidelines.
After Andre Onana made a fantastic save to keep Noussair Mazraoui’s header from going in, Pepe cut the deficit by stooping to head home the rebound.
If Omorodian hadn’t failed his physical, which caused his transfer from Atletico Madrid to go through, he may have been starting for Chelsea in the Premier League.
However, he has scored seven goals in his first six games for Porto, and his spectacular header tied the score for the home team.
After the interval, worse was to follow for the visiting team and their struggling manager.
Alejandro Garnacho took Rashford’s place at halftime, spoiling his good performance with an eye towards the Villa match.
On minute fifty, a lively counterattack by Porto tore apart the United defence once more.
Pepe dashed to the left, past Lisandro Martinez, and Omorodian, who had managed to get away from Matthijs de Ligt’s grasp, fired a low cross beyond Onana.
When Fernandes got back to Portugal, he was given a second yellow card.
However, Ten Hag’s removal from the captaincy was the one who had the opportunity to keep his job.
In the ninetieth minute, Maguire made the greatest leap to slam home Eriksen’s corner in order to save a point.
