
Manchester United will attempt to restore some pride and get their Europa League campaign back on track when they travel to the Estadio do Dragao to face Porto on Thursday.
Erik ten Hag’s side are coming off two disappointing results in which their structural and fitness issues were exploited by FC Twente and Tottenham.
The Red Devils appeared to be in control of their home clash against the Dutch side last Wednesday until a clever tweak in tactics brought the downfall of a team that increasingly looks to have shaky foundations.
Then Tottenham, on 24 hours less rest, completely outplayed them for long spells at Old Trafford to ramp up the pressure on Ten Hag and his squad.
United’s 3-0 defeat was made worse by an injury to Kobbie Mainoo and a red card for Bruno Fernandes, although the out-of-form captain is able to face Porto this week.
Porto also had their issues in a Europa League defeat to Bodo/ Glimt last week. They could not handle the Norwegians’ intensity on an artificial pitch which discourages tackling and fell to a 3-2 defeat, despite playing against 10 men for 40 minutes.