Manchester United was saved from another painful defeat when substitute Harry Maguire appeared in stoppage time with a header to rescue a 3-3 draw away to Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.
Erik ten Hag’s team ended up having a difficult time after taking a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of a duel in which their midfielder Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second consecutive game.
Fernandes received a second warning in the 81st minute for stomping on Argentine center back Nehuén Perez while trying to connect a cross into the area.
“We started the game very well, we dominated, we scored two good goals but then we lost control,” summarized Ten Hag. “The middle part wasn’t so good but then we closed very strong… We got the equalizer, which is good for our spirits.”
Just on Sunday, Fernandes was sent off with a straight red card in the 3-0 defeat against Tottenham in the Premier League, putting Ten Hag on the tightrope. The Dutch coach appeared to be left in a more precarious situation as he found himself trailing 3-2 in the 50th minute when Pepe’s cross was sent into the net by Samu for his second goal of the night.
But Maguire rose to head home a corner kick in the first minute of added time for United, who have two draws in the new league stage of the tournament. The English club has failed to win in its last four games in all competitions.
United could not have had a better start in Portugal. Christian Eriksen set up Marcus Rashford, who with a low shot beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa to open the scoring in the seventh minute.
Eriksen also participated in the second, 13 minutes later. He started the play in the middle to combine with Rashford, who left the ball open for Rasmus Højlund to finish into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.
But Porto responded with goals from Pepe and Samu in a seven-minute span near the break.
Early in the day, a young Tottenham squad maintained its perfect pace by defeating Ferencváros of Hungary 2-1 as a visitor. With a double from Argentine striker Valentín Castellanos, Lazio also achieved its second victory in as many games by beating Nice 4-1.
Pape Sarr put Tottenham ahead in the 23rd minute when he reacted quickly to take advantage of a drifting ball inside the area and finished with a right foot. It was his second goal in the second most important club tournament on the continent.
Brennan Johnson entered in the second half and scored the Spurs’ second goal four minutes from time, with a left-footed shot that first hit the far post. It was the Welsh international’s fifth goal in five games.
Parnabas Varga scored for Ferencváros in the last minute.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou made seven changes from the team that defeated Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford last Sunday in the Premier League.
Four teenagers started for the Spurs. Will Lankshear (19) made his first team debut, while Mikey Moore (17) started for the first time.
In the rain at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Castellanos scored in the 35th and 54th minutes. The Argentine lifted the ball over goalkeeper Marcin Bulka in a one-on-one for the first goal and nailed his second with a high shot.
Spanish winger Pedro and captain Mattia Zaccagni – from a penalty – scored the other goals.
Lyon also has two victories after defeating Rangers 4-1 in Glasgow. Alexandre Lacazette and Malick Fofana each scored doubles.
Twente of the Netherlands, who drew United 1-1 at Old Trafford last week, drew 1-1 at home against José Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
With a penalty goal from Michael Baidoo, Sweden’s Elfsborg surprised by beating Roma 1-0.
In addition, Slavia Prague drew 1-1 against Ajax; Anderlecht came back to beat Real Sociedad 2-1; Olympiacos beat Braga 3-0; Hoffenheim beat Dynamo kyiv 2-0, and Eintrath Frankfurt beat Besiktas 3-1.
Conference LeagueChelsea made a victorious debut with goals from Renato Veiga, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, in the 4-2 victory over Ghent at Stamford Bridge.
Fiorentina, who reached the final in the previous two editions, beat the Welsh club New Saints 2-1.
In a pair of high-scoring duels, Cercle Brugge beat St. Gallen 6-2 with a hat trick from Kevin Denkey, and Omonoia beat Vikingur Reijiavik 4-0 in Cyprus.
Legia de Warsaw beat Real Betis 1-0.
Scotland’s Hearts traveled to Sumgayit, Azerbaijan, for a 2-1 victory over Dynamo Minsk, Belarus.
UEFA banned Russian clubs from participating in its tournaments after that country invaded Ukraine. Instead, it has allowed Belarusian outfits to remain active, despite that nation supporting Russia.
The Belarusian clubs were given the condition of playing outside their country, without an audience.
