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1 month ago
18 Harry Maguire rescued a point from a game Manchester United had been in charge of tonight in Portugal. Leading two-nil through Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, they suffered a collapse to go behind early in the second half. The loss of Rashford to injury and Bruno Fernandes to a red card threatened to pile increasing pressure on Ten Hag before the late showing.
Porto will be wondering just how they managed to come out of the game without a win though. Disappointed to be losing early on, they stormed back into the match and led thanks to the impressive Samu Omorodion. Only the heroics of Andre Onana prevented them from going further in front before being denied at the death.
Erik Ten Hag named four changes from the poor display against Spurs at the weekend. Rasmus Hojlund made his first start since his injury in pre-season. He was joined by Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Amad Diallo in the starting lineup. Kobee Mainoo was out due to injury whilst Manuel Ugarte, Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee all dropped to the bench. Vitor Bruno made just one change to the home side. Stephen Eustaquio replaced Nicholas Gonzalez from the team who won 4-0 at the weekend.
Porto started in a determined fashion and pinned United in their own half. Andre Onana was forced into early action as he tipped away an effort from Galeno for a corner. Joao Mario was proving to be a menace as he tried to link up with Samu Omorodion.
Despite all that action, it was the away side who struck first. Marcus Rashford received a pass from Christian Eriksen and drove into the area. His shot was firm and direct. Diogo Costa will feel he could have done better as the ball went under his legs.
Omorodion had a shot blocked before the rebound was blasted over by Joao Mario as the home side tried to respond. They almost went further in front as a dangerous ball from Rashford to Rasmus Hojlund almost resulted in an own goal.
The Dane did not have to wait too long for his first goal of the season. Christian Eriksen won the ball back high up the pitch and laid it on for Rashford. He slipped in Hojlund who had peeled off the last defender and fired it into the bottom corner. Rashford was causing panic every time he got on the ball and almost set up another opportunity. His cross fizzed across the six-yard area but no-one was there to attack it.
Porto were pushing and found a way back into the game. Joao Mario crossed it into Omorodion at the back-post. It was headed by Noussair Mazraoui but straight at Onana. He produced an excellent save but Pepe was alive to the danger and tapped home the rebound.
Incredibly it was then back level. Another cross into the middle proved to be the issue as Omorodion stole ahead of Matthjis de Ligt to head past Onana from a few yards out.
The reds almost struck back before the break as Casemiro had an effort blocked and Rashford crowded out after a mazy run.
Rashford was subbed at half-time with a suspected injury for Alejandro Garnacho, but Porto looked to be the side on the up. A simple break from a united attack resulted in Francisco Moura getting through one-on-one with Onana. The united keeper forced into yet another save.
The lead was not long in coming though. Mazraoui was caught trying to play offside, but Omorodion had timed his run correctly. He slotted past Onana to the delight of the home fans. The young forward almost landed his hat-trick only for another save by Onana.
The task was made even harder when Bruno Fernandes picked up his second yellow card for his second dismissal in two games. He was challenging for a ball in the opposition area when the referee ruled his approach was reckless. United were trying to find a leveller but Porto looked the more likely at the other end. Onana again saving his team with another save from Galeno.
Garnacho was left cursing his luck as his fierce drive from distance was tipped over the bar by Costa in injury time. It was not the last of the action though as Eriksen swung over the resulting corner. Harry Maguire off the bench rose highest to plant his header into the top corner.
The majority of the Estadio Do Dragao was stunned on the final whistle. The reds will have to know that they got away with one. As exciting as it was, the lack of control in the side was damning. Being that open can only cause problems going ahead. A final game before the international break looms away to a confident Aston Villa on Sunday at 14:00. Porto take on Braga as they try to close the gap on Sporting Lisbon on Sunday.
FC Porto: Diogo Costa, Joao Mario (Deniz Gul 78), Ze Pedro, Nehuen Perez, Francisco Moura, Nico Gonzalez, Stephen Eustaquio (Fabio Viera 78), Alan Varela (Danny Namaso 90+2), Pepe, (Martim Fernandes 63), Samu Omorodion (Marko Grujic 78), Galeno
Subs not used: Claudio Ramos, Tiago Djalo, Vasco Sousa, Ivan Jamie, Andre Franco, Goncalo Borges, Rodrigo Mora.
Booked: Samu Omorodion (31)
Sent off: None
Manchester United: Andre Onana; Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez (Harry Maguire 78), Matthijs de Ligt (Jonny Evans 78), Diego Dalot; Carlos Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Amad Diallo (Antony 69), Bruno Fernandes; Marcus Rashford (Alejandro Garnacho 46), Rasmus Hojlund (Joshua Zirkzee 69).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Victor Lindelof, Tom Heaton, Manuel Ugarte, Toby Collyer, Dan Gore.
Booked: Bruno Fernandes (32), Ruud Van Nistelrooy (38),
Sent off: Bruno Fernandes (81)
Referee: Tobias Stieler
Stretty News Player of the Match: Andre Onana
