Manchester United drew 1-1 with Twente in their first match of the 2024-2025 Europa League season this morning (September 26).

In their opening game of the season at Old Trafford, the Red Devils took the lead but ultimately had to settle for just one point.

Christian Eriksen was the key figure in the match. The 32-year-old midfielder played a crucial role in both the home team’s goal and their equalizer conceded.

Eriksen opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a decisive strike, but he later made a costly mistake, losing the ball in a dangerous area, allowing Twente to equalize in the second half. Sam Lammers was the one who scored for the Dutch side. “I scored and thought I had decided the game, but then everything went in a different direction. Everyone has to look back at themselves. We are professional players and know what should not happen. We didn’t lose this match, but it feels like a defeat. Drawing against Twente at home should not happen,” Eriksen said in a post-match interview.

Man Utd had slightly more ball possession than Twente, attempting 17 shots with 5 on target. However, the Red Devils’ attack continued to disappoint, missing several opportunities. For the second consecutive match, forwards Joshua Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Amad Diallo failed to score.

“We gave them a chance. Man Utd led 1-0 and controlled the game. We needed to stabilize and maintain that in the second half, but we faltered and gifted them a goal. We needed to find a second goal but were punished for our own mistakes,” commented coach Erik ten Hag after the match.

The Dutch manager added, “We must finish off our opponents. Man Utd was punished for a mistake. We were too careless in that situation. This cannot happen. Against a team playing the match of their lives, mistakes will always be punished.”