“They’re like a rich tea biscuit! They crumble” - Pundit delivers verdict on Manchester United after collapse in 3-3 draw with Porto
Former Arsenal Women winger Karen Carney has slammed Manchester United following their 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday night (October 3). The Red Devils started the game well, with Marcus Rashford giving them the lead in the seventh minute at the Estadio do Dragao.
Rasmus Hojlund made it 2-0 in the 20th minute and it looked like the visitors would pick up a comfortable win. However, the Portuguese giants rallied to make it 2-2 through Pepe (27') and Samu Omorodion (34') before the break. Omorodion then put the hosts 3-2 up in the 50th minute.
The Premier League giants, however, managed to salvage a draw, thanks to Harry Maguire. The English defender came off the bench in the 78th minute in place of Lisandro Martinez and scored the equalizer in injury time (90+1').
Speaking on TNT Sports Studio at half-time, Carney showed little sympathy for Manchester United.
"I messaged someone, they’re like a rich tea biscuit! They crumble. That goal they conceded, the first one, is concentration from Manchester United," said Carney.
"They just switch off, they lose control. In the 18-yard box they’re not getting tight, they’re not picking up first and second balls. Okay, it comes back to Joao Mario… crosses from outside the box is a massive problem. You know that Samu Omorodion is massive," she added.
Carney also gave a scathing assessment of Erik ten Hag's backline.
"I’m highlighting [Matthijs] De Ligt here, he’s on the six-yard line, at no point to they squeeze. There’s so many things wrong with that clip. That is concentration. It’s hunger and desire to stop the crosses," said Carney.
"Porto have targeted Dalot and Martinez from wide areas, put it on them, and that last 20 minutes… it’s like a see-saw from Manchester United. You don’t know what you’re going to get," she added.
The Red Devils went down to ten men in the 81st minute after Bruno Fernandes picked up the second yellow card of the night.
Is Erik ten Hag on borrowed time at Manchester United?
Erik ten Hag is feeling the heat again at Manchester United after a troubled start to the season. The Red Devils have now won just three of their 10 games this season across competitions, losing four.
They are 13th in the Premier League after six games, with just two wins and a -3 goal difference. 3-0 league defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur haven't helped the Dutchman's cause either.
With Aston Villa up next in the Premier League on Sunday, October 6, Ten Hag has little room for error at Old Trafford. Another defeat could spell trouble for the Dutchman, especially with recent rumors linking Thomas Tuchel with the Manchester United job.