Europa League: Eriksen's strike cancelled as Manchester United draw vs Twente

Europa League: Manchester United kicked off their 2024/25 campaign with a 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford. Christian Eriksen's stunning goal was cancelled out by Sam Lammers' equaliser, leaving United with just a point.

In Short

• Manchester United kick off their campaign with a 1-1 draw vs FC Twente
• Christian Eriksen scores a stunning goal to give United the lead
• Sam Lammers equalises after a costly mistake by United in second half

Manchester United's 2024/25 Europa League campaign got off to a frustrating start as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Dutch side FC Twente at Old Trafford. Despite taking the lead through a stunning strike from Christian Eriksen, a costly second-half mistake allowed Sam Lammers to equalize, leaving Erik Ten Hag's men with just a point from their opening fixture.

United started the match brightly, asserting control for large periods of the first half. FC Twente had an early chance when Lammers missed the far post with a side-footed shot, but United soon took charge of the game. In the 35th minute, Eriksen, who was starting his fourth consecutive match, pounced on a loose ball inside the Twente box. The Danish midfielder unleashed a fierce shot that flew past goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall, giving United a deserved lead.

Before Eriksen's goal, United almost benefitted from a stroke of luck when Twente defender Mees Hilgers nearly deflected the ball into his own net, only for Unnerstall to react brilliantly and prevent the own goal. Nevertheless, United appeared comfortable after Eriksen’s strike, playing with fluidity and confidence. Joshua Zirkzee, leading the line, impressed with clever hold-up play, while Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo caused problems for the Twente defense with their pace and flair on the wings.

However, the game took a decisive turn in the 67th minute when Eriksen was dispossessed in his own half by Lammers, who drove into the box and smashed a powerful shot beyond André Onana to level the score. The goal revitalized Twente, while the mood inside Old Trafford shifted as anxiety crept into the home support.

United pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but Twente’s resilience and Unnerstall’s goalkeeping heroics kept them at bay. Zirkzee had a close-range shot saved by Unnerstall, while Bruno Fernandes saw his effort narrowly miss the target. Substitute Kobbie Mainoo had a penalty appeal waved away late on, leaving United to settle for a draw.

Eriksen, reflecting on the result, said, "We are disappointed as a team. We wanted more but it was far from good enough in the end. They looked like they wanted it more than us and that cannot be right. Personally, you score a goal, you think it is going to be a match-winner, but it goes the other way."