Lammers blow against United as Twente hit back to share spoils
The Guardian|September 26, 2024
When Manchester United click as they did here for large swathes, their attack features organised chaos and their defence is compact, as shown by their four clean sheets this season.
Jamie Jackson
Lammers blow against United as Twente hit back to share spoils

This last statistic was heading for a fifth until a hapless Christian Eriksen turned from scoring hero to culprit with a dither that allowed Sam Lammers to equalise on 68 minutes.

Chasing victory, Erik ten Hag replaced the restored Marcus Rashford for Rasmus Højlund, Mason Mount for Joshua Zirkee, and Kobbie Mainoo for Eriksen. But this last dice-throw failed despite an addedtime scramble that had Harry Maguire heading goalwards so United's Europa League challenge starts with a point.

After a rousing sing-along to Country Roads that reverberated from the PA through heavy rain, United continued the good on-ball work of Saturday's goalless draw at Crystal Palace. That featured a possession-heavy style replicated here, as André Onana, Lisandro Martínez, Maguire, Manuel Ugarte and Noussair Mazraoui shuffled the ball between them near goal and into midfield.

There was spoiling, too, from Ugarte who, on full debut, poked possession away from Youri Regeer at halfway in the kind of act he was bought for, as did Mazraoui when Anass Salah-Eddine swooped in along the left byline. The challenge led to a corner that Michel Vlap flashed in from the left. The ball bounced towards the far touchline, Diogo Dalot was robbed by Bart Van Rooij, and he fed Sam Lammers.

Twente's No 10, in space, spooned the ball wide of the left post.

Lining up as United's No 9, again, Zirkzee's natural game is more akin to the deft thinking of a playmaker, as a no-look backheel that flummoxed Twente's rearguard and put Marcus Rashford in behind illustrated. The latter's cross was scuffed but another bright United attack ensued.

This story is from the September 26, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 26, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView All
FTX files $1.8bn lawsuit against Binance and its former CEO
The Guardian

FTX files $1.8bn lawsuit against Binance and its former CEO

The collapsed cryptocurrency company FTX is suing Binance and its former CEO Changpeng Zhao, alleging that $1.8bn was \"fraudulently transferred\" by FTX management to Binance and its executives.

time-read
1 min  |
November 12, 2024
Ref's video nasty Coote suspended for foul-mouthed Klopp tirade
The Guardian

Ref's video nasty Coote suspended for foul-mouthed Klopp tirade

The Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended after video footage emerged of him calling Jürgen Klopp a \"German cunt\" and Liverpool \"shit\".

time-read
2 mins  |
November 12, 2024
Van Nistelrooy leaves United as Amorim checks in
The Guardian

Van Nistelrooy leaves United as Amorim checks in

Ruud van Nistelrooy has left his role as assistant coach after the arrival of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 12, 2024
Merino backs Arsenal to stay in title race after 'difficult few weeks'
The Guardian

Merino backs Arsenal to stay in title race after 'difficult few weeks'

Mikel Merino insists Arsenal will thrive on the pressure of their bid to win the Premier League and has cited the late push in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea as evidence of their character.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 12, 2024
Robertson not worried after being 'written off' by some
The Guardian

Robertson not worried after being 'written off' by some

Andy Robertson has said he had a point to prove in Liverpool's win over Aston Villa having been \"written off\" for the first time in his storied Anfield career.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 12, 2024
Unfamiliar City woes make this Guardiola's trickiest challenge
The Guardian

Unfamiliar City woes make this Guardiola's trickiest challenge

The champions struggling in the autumn is nothing new but the root of this season's problems appear different

time-read
4 mins  |
November 12, 2024
Coote's mindless rant undermines trust in referees - he can have no complaints over the consequences
The Guardian

Coote's mindless rant undermines trust in referees - he can have no complaints over the consequences

There is lots I do not want to know about the video featuring the Premier League referee David Coote.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 12, 2024
'Proud father' Gil Gomes reveals a unique family tale
The Guardian

'Proud father' Gil Gomes reveals a unique family tale

Angel Gomes's dad recalls his own remarkable football journey which took him from Angola to Salford via Hendon

time-read
5 mins  |
November 12, 2024
Foden and Palmer among eight England dropouts
The Guardian

Foden and Palmer among eight England dropouts

Lee Carsley has been rocked by an extraordinary eight withdrawals from his England squad to face Greece and Republic of Ireland in the Nations League, Phil Foden an unexpected name on the absentees list where he joins his Manchester City teammate Jack Grealish.

time-read
1 min  |
November 12, 2024
Ruthless Ruud catches Alcaraz cold in Turin
The Guardian

Ruthless Ruud catches Alcaraz cold in Turin

Carlos Alcaraz made a stuttering start to the ATP Finals in Turin as he suffered a shock first career defeat to the world No 7 Casper Ruud.

time-read
1 min  |
November 12, 2024