Porto vs Manchester United: Latest updates from Europa League

Welcome to our coverage of Porto against Manchester United in this evening’s Europa League game. It would not be an understatement to say that United are a club in crisis, mind you that has been the case in one form or another for the last 10 years. The crisis at the moment is arguably worse than it has ever been because new owners came in earlier this year and have set about turning the club around. Yet the same problems on the pitch remain, whatever they have done on it. 

Since the start of the season proper (not including the Community Shield, where a 1-1 draw ended in a penalty shootout loss to rivals Man City), United have won three games from a possible eight – and one of those was a 7-0 League Cup victory over League One Barnsley. After his FA Cup victory over City in May (which was deserved), Erik ten Hag was given an effective vote of confidence by the Ineos management. Has he managed to repay that faith? No, with the same problems cropping up again. The team, in short, have not looked like much of a team. 

A home draw against FC Twente in the first Europa League game underlined this. A first-half collapse against Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday proved it further. Things fall apart on the pitch far too easily, even before the going gets tough. With another international break approaching it is vital for Ten Hag that his side put in two good performances and, ideally, claim two victories. Aston Villa are Sunday’s opponents with United visitors to Villa Park but tonight comes FC Porto. Two losses and you think he might well be gone before they return to domestic action. It would not be undeserved. 

Both sides have significant European pedigree with Porto winning the Champions League/European Cup twice and this competition twice two. United have won the former three times and this one once. Porto come into this fixture in better form than their opponents (is that hard?) with six wins in eight games in all competitions, albeit having lost to Bodo/Glimt in their first European match. In fact, in the official list both sides have won seven Uefa competitions putting them just behind Atletico Madrid and Sevilla and ahead of Anderlecht and Valencia. 

As ever with United these days, this could be an eventful watch. The match at the Estadio do Dragao gets under way at 8pm BST and we will have the team news for you very shortly.