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:
Porto 3-2 Manchester United
77 minutes: A few substitutions.
For Porto, Samu makes way for ex-Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic. A superb display from the striker with two goals to his name.
Eustaquio also makes way for Arsenal loanee Fabio Vieira.
United make a double defemsive change, with Martinez and De Ligt making way for Evans and Maguire.
Will Castle3 October 2024 21:40
Porto 3-2 Manchester United
75 minutes: Manchester United are pushing for an equaliser, peppering the Porto box with crosses and dominating in possession.
That said, nothing too troubling for the hosts to deal with thus far.
Porto might be sitting back but United need to be wary of not getting caught out on the break.
Will Castle3 October 2024 21:37
Porto 3-2 Manchester United
72 minutes: De Ligt latches onto the aerial ball but his header lacks power and it’s a comfortable stop for Costa.
Garnacho then cuts inside with the intent of firing one into the far corner, but his shot his blocked for the corner. The resulting delivery comes to nothing.
Will Castle3 October 2024 21:34
Porto 3-2 Manchester United
70 minutes: Fernandes goes for it again from outside the box, but shoots high and wide.
The way Costa is playing tonight, you can understand why getting shots away regardless of position may be the best policy for United. That’s their 20th effort of the night.
Will Castle3 October 2024 21:33
Porto 3-2 Manchester United
68 minutes: Attacking changes from Ten Hag as Zirkzee and Antony enter the fray.
Hojlund and Amad make way.
Will Castle3 October 2024 21:30
Porto 3-2 Manchester United
65 minutes: Save! Another big stop from Onana to prevent this going from bad to worse, getting down low to divert Samu’s effort away for a corner.
Resulting delivery nearly causes problems for United as Galeno pokes goalwards, but the Red Devils are able to clear.
Joshua Zirkzee is said to be getting stripped.
Will Castle3 October 2024 21:28
Porto 3-2 Manchester United
64 minutes: That might have gone out of the stadium!
Lisandro Martinez goes for the spectacular half volley from about 35 yards out – and as you’d expect from a centre-half, it goes high, wide and out of shot.
Will Castle3 October 2024 21:26
Porto 3-2 Manchester United
62 minutes: Mazraoui fires a pretty weak bobbling effort from the edge of the box – but it’s a poor parried save from Diogo Costa, who palms it right into the danger area with Garnacho closing in.
Garnacho is off balance and can only shoot high and into the side netting. But it’s another error by the highly-rated Portuguese shot-stopper.
Will Castle3 October 2024 21:25
Porto 3-2 Manchester United
57 minutes: United are spending more and more time on the ball – Porto, now with the lead, are sitting back and trying to frustrate their opponents.
Unable to break into the box, Garnacho unleashes a viscious effort from range to sting the gloves of Costa.
Will Castle3 October 2024 21:20
Porto 3-2 Manchester United
54 minutes: It’s United’s turn to search for an equaliser.
Bruno Fernandes fires an effort across the goal, hitting it with power but it goes well wide. Nothing to worry about for Costa.
Christian Eriksen then gets played into the box and takes the ball to the byline, but his pullback rolls straight into the arms of the keeper.
A better delivery and that could have been a golden opening for the visitors.
Will Castle3 October 2024 21:18