Maguire spares United’s blushes after throwing away two-goal lead at Porto
Substitute Harry Maguire rescued a point for 10-man Manchester United as they drew 3-3 in Porto.
Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund goals put the visitors into a commanding lead against a Porto side who lost their opening UEFA Europa League game.
However, the visitors’ defence then let their manager down with Pepe pulling a goal back and then Samu Omorodion equalising before the break.
With Rashford taken off at half-time, Omorodion gave Porto what looked like the winning goal.
It looked worse for Ten Hag when skipper Bruno Fernandes was sent off for his second high foot of the game.
However, up stepped substitute Maguire, heading home Christian Eriksen’s corner to rescue a draw in the 91st minute.
Talking Point – United concede three goals on road again
A point against Porto will only put more pressure onto the shoulders of manager Erik Ten Hag.
United were in control inside the opening 20 minutes, and with Marcus Rashford running riot, they looked on course to be comfortable winners.
However, the sinking feeling soon returned as United failed to clear their lines or take control at the back resulting in Pepe and Omorodion capitalising.
Young striker Omorodion looked to have won the game and then United had to rely on goalkeeper Andre Onana to stop Galeno netting a fourth.
Ten Hag’s side have made a habit of conceding a host of goals away from home in European competitions and that problem shows no sign of being solved.
Player of the Match – Samu Omorodion (Porto)
The 20-year-old Porto striker will have done his career a great deal of good by scoring twice against Manchester United.
Early on he was stifled by Matthijs de Ligt before getting the better of the United defender and putting his side into a winning position.
Omorodion looked to have the striker’s instinct and was in all the right positions for his midfielders to play balls into his path.
Player Ratings
Porto: Costa 6, Joao Mario 6, Pedro 7, Perez 6, Moura 7, Nico 6, Eustaquio 6, Varela 6, Pepe 7, Omorodion 8, Galeno 7. Subs: Namaso 6, Fernandes 6, Grujic 6, Gul 6, Vieira 6
Manchester United: Onana 7, Mazraoui 6, De Ligt 6, Martinez 5, Dalot 6, Casemiro 6, Eriksen 7, Diallo 6, Fernandes 5, Rashford 7, Hojlund 6. Subs: Anthony 6, Evans 6, Garnacho 6, Maguire 6, Zirkzee 6
Match Highlights
7 – GOAL! PORTO 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (RASHFORD): Rashford jinks inside two men before cutting inside. His effort to the front post is powerful but goalkeeper Costa should save it. Costa flaps at the ball which flies past him.
20 – GOAL! PORTO 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 (HOJLUND): A driving run through the middle from Eriksen opens the defence. He plays Rashford who finds the run of Hojlund with the striker firing towards the near post. Goalkeeper Costa should do better as the ball bounces off his arm and just over the goal-line.
27 – GOAL! PORTO 1 (PEPE) MANCHESTER UNITED 2: A long ball into the box is only partly headed away the resulting cross finds the head of Samu Omorodion whose effort is denied by a fine Onana save. However, Pepe react quickest to the rebound and stoops to head home.
34 – GOAL PORTO 2 (SAMU OMORODION) MANCHESTER UNITED 2: The hosts are level. United fail to cleat the ball from inside the box when given the chance. The ball is played out before a cross is whipped in for Samu Omorodion who heads home under pressure from De Ligt.
50 – GOAL! PORTO 3 (SAMU OMORODION) MANCHESTER UNITED 2: Samu Omorodion fires his side into the lead as Pepe breaks the off-side trap before pulling the ball back for his striker.
81 – FERNANDES SENT OFF: It goes from bad to worse for Manchester United as Fernandes is sent off for a high foot while lunging for the ball and catching the defender. The Porto defender clutches his face despite the replay showing his boot hitting his shoulder.
90+1 – GOAL! PORTO 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 3 (MAGUIRE): In the first of five added minutes Eriksen’s corner finds the head of fellow substitute Maguire to equalise.
Key Stats
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