Manchester United

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There are "some flickers of hope" for Manchester United, but they do not have a "guarantee of goals" in the team says reporter Laurie Whitwell from The Athletic.

Having taken the lead, United's first Europa League game of the season ultimately ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw with FC Twente.

It was another match in which Erik ten Hag's side had struggled to convert their chances and failed to hold a lead.

"FC Twente are the lowest ranked team, in terms of the coefficient, that they will face at Old Trafford in the Europa League so it is another result that continues this awkward start of the season for Manchester United," Whitwell told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"There are signs of hope, they are creating good chances.

"They’ve got a good collection of young players but they just don’t have that guarantee of goals in the team, so you’re kind of hoping, rather than expecting them to produce these moments and go on a winning run.

"There are some flickers of hope but again, if it continues for too long, then the pressure will become too much I think."

Boss Ten Hag has talked about players playing "too much" as a factor in his side's inconsistency.

Whitwell added: "The Eredivisie has fewer teams in it and the pace of that league is less than the Premier League. Everyone comments on how intense the Premier League is when they join it, so you can't let any game slip and every opposition is up for it.

"But United have a big squad and have spent a lot money to give it that strength in depth so that argument only has so much weight.

"There is certainly a breaking point for the amount of games players are going to be asked to play because there are so many competitions. But United, a team of that scale and quality should be beating FC Twente."

Tom Gayle
BBC Radio 5 Live reporter at Old Trafford

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Irrespective of the result it was always going to be a memorable night for Erik ten Hag, welcoming the team he supported, played for, and was assistant manager when FC Twente lifted their only league title to date in 2010.

Pre-match the Dutchman appeared to suggest victory was a foregone conclusion saying: "I would have preferred to play against someone else. It is not nice to hurt something you love.”

Instead of hurt, it was ecstasy which consumed visiting players, staff and fans at the full-time whistle, as they celebrated their point like a win. Sights of people dropping to their knees, hugs all around, questionable dance moves, and group photos in front of their travelling supporters.

With back-to-back away trips coming up next in this competition, starting with Porto, before heading to Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, there needs to be a significant improvement in performance from Ten Hag’s side for Manchester United to be taken seriously as legitimate contenders for the Europa League crown.

Simon Stone at Old Trafford
Chief football news reporter

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There was something worryingly familiar about Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after Wednesday's game against FC Twente.

There was a stern look on his face as he walked round Old Trafford applauding the fans who remained following the 1-1 draw against spirited, but limited, opposition.

There was a defence of his players to the media, even though he agreed with goalscorer Christian Eriksen that his old club had "wanted it more".

Ten Hag denied it but the same claims have been made at periods throughout his tenure. It hints at a mental issue that is simply not being solved.

When Ineos opted to stick with Ten Hag in the aftermath of last season's eighth-placed finish, they did so largely because it was felt the structures were not in place that would allow the former Ajax boss to succeed.

The structures are now there but there is no obvious change.

It is far too early for Ten Hag to be under real pressure. But, to coin a phrase he likes to use, he needs to step up.

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We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Europa League game between Manchester United and Twente.

Here are some of your comments:

Lexy: United players showed no respect to their opponents and treated the game like a training ground occasion! They gave the ball away far too many times trying the difficult pass, particularly in dangerous areas. Slow build-up play and they need a number nine urgently!

Jim: United are not at the races at the moment. Probably time is needed to let new players settle in. Christian Eriksen is a decent player but will not take them back to where they need to be and the crucial problem at the moment is the same as last season - they can't score goals from decent build-up. The main culprit is Bruno Fernandes. He has skill but is wasteful - and Erik ten Hag plays him!

Peter: In patches, we looked better but overall we were lacking ideas and finishing power again. I think the creative play is missing and unfortunately this is where the manager must take responsibility. I'm not convinced that he's got what we need. I'd give him up until the end of this year to get some positive results. After all he's had the money .

Alastair: At least Noussair Mazraoui must now be worth twice what we paid Bayern Munich.

Joe: In the 88th minute of tonight's game, I had a sudden dawning realisation, and it was this. I didn't care if we won. I had no excitement about whether we would score a winning goal. And in the 47 years that I've watched my club I never felt like that. The past three years has done this to me.

Mark: Not good enough. We can’t finish off any chances and overall not enough passion or hunger to go finish off the game. However, still loads more games to go but if we are going to do anything well this season, we need to start scoring goals.

Manchester United want to free up space in midfield and could let Denmark's Christian Eriksen and Brazil's Casemiro, both 32, leave in January. (Teamtalk), external

United also remain interested in Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and will make another attempt to sign the 22-year-old England-capped defender in 2025. (HITC), external

Meanwhile, back in 2020, Manchester United offered 100m euros (£83.5m) to Barcelona for Spain forward Ansu Fati, who is now 21 and spent last season on loan with Brighton. (Athletic - subsription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Senior writer at ESPN Mark Ogden spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live following Manchester United's 1-1 draw with FC Twente in the Europa League:

"I think they [United] created 19 chances tonight, 19 shots, but they were never very convincing. That is the problem with Manchester United.

"They looked a little more solid at the back and the FC Twente goals was a mistake by [Christian] Eriksen, so ultimately they are defending better but when they go forward they have no threat, they are toothless.

"That is despite spending around £35m on [Joshua] Zirkzee, [Rasmus] Hojlund is back fit and he was around £70m, but they haven’t got a striker who would put fear into a mid-table team, never mind a top team. That is why they are struggling to win games.

"The opposition realises they aren’t carrying a threat so they will attack more and take their chances like Twente did.

"They had no fear of Manchester United tonight."

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, speaking to TNT Sports: "We kept them alive, 1-0 up, controlling the game you have to be consistent and keep going. In the second half we dropped the level, gave the goal away.

"We didn't finish it off, we had to go for the second goal and so they stay alive and we get punished with a mistake from ourselves."

On whether the goal was due to a system error or individual mistakes: "The goal, it's team. A player of Twente can dribble through the pitch without stopping, we can't give a goal away like this.

"We have seen again you have to keep going for the whole game, once 1-0 up you have to keep going, go for the second."

On the Europa League: "It’s the first game, it’s very important you get a win."

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Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen, speaking to TNT Sports: "I think mostly disappointed as a team, we wanted more in the end.

"[We were] far from good enough. They looked like they wanted it more - that can't be right."

On the mood in the dressing room: "I think everyone is looking at themselves. Everyone is a professional footballer, they know what to do, what can't happen.

"We didn't lose but it feels like a loss."

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The draw has been made for the Carabao Cup fourth round, with 12 Premier League clubs having made it through and Newcastle set to play their postponed tie against Wimbledon on 1 October.

There are four confirmed all-Premier League fixtures, including Tottenham hosting Manchester City and holders Liverpool travelling to Brighton.

Ties are scheduled to take place the week commencing 28 October.

All the fixtures featuring top-flight sides are shown below:

• Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday

• Southampton v Stoke

• Tottenham v Manchester City

• AFC Wimbledon/Newcastle v Chelsea

• Manchester United v Leicester

• Brighton v Liverpool

• Preston North End v Arsenal

• Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

See the full draw

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Manchester United have failed to win their opening match in major European competition in each of the past four seasons - losing in 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 and now drawing 1-1 against FC Twente.

The Red Devils have also gone on to win just one of their past six major European matches when scoring the opening goal (D3 L2).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

What did you make of your team's performance, Manchester United fans?

Let us know here, external

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

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There is one Europa League group-stage match involving a Premier League team on Wednesday:

Man Utd v Twente - 20:00 BST

Follow all of the action live

Earlier on Wednesday, former Manchester United centre back Rafael Varane confirmed his retirement from football aged just 31.

Here's what he's had to say on Instagram:

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BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater is "pretty confident United will get top four" despite a difficult start to the season for the Red Devils which has left them 11th in the Premier League with seven points from five matches.

Manager Erik ten Hag said after Saturday's 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park that his team "ate alive" Crystal Palace despite the goalless draw.

"Seven points from five games, not inspiring," Drinkwater told the Devils' Advocate podcast.

"But, here's my take on it and here's why I am not worried after five games and why I am pretty confident United will get top four.

"We've played Liverpool at home and I think they'll finish third and I think we'll look back on that [favourably].

"Beat Fulham, deserved to beat Fulham.

"Brighton we lost but we did not deserve to lose that game. We deserved a draw at least out of that game, and I even think we could have won quite easily. For arguments sake say a draw - that result would put us a point less than where we deserve to be based on performances.

"Then we get beat by Liverpool which is fair enough, did not deserve anything.

"Southampton, beat them and deservedly so. 3-0 - convincing.

"Crystal Palace, 0-0, our performance warranted us winning that game. We should have been 2-0 or 3-0 up at half time. We played really well, the amount of chances created we should have had that done.

"So, what I'm saying is United are three points worse off than their performances deserve. They will come round. We will have games where where we don't play too well and get out of there with a win.

"We've had two games in particular - Brighton and Palace - where we've put in performances worthy of meaning we're three points at this stage off where we should be at the end of the season."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester United are closely monitoring manager Eddie Howe’s situation at Newcastle, with doubts over his long-term future. (Football Insider), external

Former England manager Gareth Southgate is prepared to reject other offers and hold out for the Manchester United job, should Erik ten Hag appear in danger of being sacked. (GiveMeSport), external

Manchester United considered a summer move for England striker Ivan Toney before the 28-year-old's move from Brentford to Al-Ahli, but he did not fit the profile desired by manager Erik ten Hag. (ESPN), external

United remain interested in signing 21-year-old Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. (GiveMeSport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United took the unusual step of allowing visiting Dutch media to ask the first batch of questions to Erik ten Hag at his news conference earlier.

The Europa League encounter with FC Twente is clearly a big deal in the Netherlands, especially given the Eredivisie side are Ten Hag's boyhood club.

The United boss enjoyed reminiscing over FC Twente's famous Uefa Cup victory over Ipswich Town in September 1974, when Ten Hag was only four years old.

In fact, he said he recalled a BBC video of it - maybe I will have to see if it still exists.

The key point is that it will be an emotional occasion at Old Trafford for Ten Hag.

He actually wishes it wasn't happening.

"I would have preferred to play against someone else," he said. "It is not nice to hurt something you love."

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Manchester United can "only go up and up" when "understandings improve", says defender Noussair Mazraoui.

The Morocco international has started all five Premier League matches this season after his summer arrival from Bayern Munich.

Despite mixed results for Erik ten Hag's side, he is confident he made the right move in exchanging the German giants for Old Trafford.

"I think if you compare both of them you cannot say one is bigger than the other," Mazraoui said. "Maybe internationally speaking Man Utd is probably even bigger than Bayern Munich.

"This summer, after two seasons playing in Bayern, I felt I needed and wanted another step. I felt I could feel better and more comfortable somewhere else and that is why I chose to change clubs. Man Utd came in and I don’t think I have to explain why I would join such a club.

"When you come as a new player, your expectations are things will only get better. When the understandings improve [the team can] only go up and up.

"If you look at the individual qualities of each player, we can say for certain this is a top team."

Mazraoui was pressed on the fixture schedule this season as United prepare to open their Europa League campaign at home to FC Twente on Wednesday.

"Realistically, what you see is a big team who plays a lot of matches and they are not able to play this many of the games," he said.

"I don’t think there is something you can prepare for this. It is getting more every season - eventually it is too much.

"If you are poised, you may play up to 70 games a season and that isn’t for everyone. It is likely that at most clubs, there will only be one or two players who make it through the season without injuries at all."