Image Name: Harry Maguire Rescues Point
Image Credit: The Guardian
Manchester United went for Porto at its best in Portugal in the Europa League in an eventful game. Manchester United managed to salvage a game that might have been lost, as they came from behind when they were down to ten men against Porto’s eleven throughout most of it, ultimately clinching a 2-2 draw. In the process, Harry Maguire made crucial interventions late in the game but remained just about good enough for the Red Devils to salvage that point. It was a game of hope, anxiety, and subsequently, relief, for the United fans. The event of that night would go down in history, and Maguire did just what needed to be done on that very evening.
The early pressure by Porto
Porto is probably the best Portuguese club, and they approached this game very clearly: to blame Manchester United on a sweeping, lightning-attack, and take advantage of possible weaknesses right away. And so, as of the first whistle, Porto pressed high, taking advantage of possible weaknesses on the defending part of United. Their aggressive approach meant that they could quickly establish control of the tempo right at the start. On the other hand, United was not this fortunate; they barely got to hold possession at their opening stages. Middelfield, which has been having some good times having Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, was easily pressed by Porto and hardly coped with the latter’s pressing game. As the time went, the home crowd at Estádio do Dragão started to feel that Porto was gaining confidence.
The Red Card
The match was quite evenly contested until the 35th minute when sending off Manchester United from the game came when Antony received his second yellow card and subsequently the red card for a reckless tackle. This left United in disarray with over half of the game underway. United looked hopeless, playing a man down. Porto sensed victory and upped the game with a hope to capitalize on the numbers in their favor. For United, it had turned into a battle of survival as they tried to keep things in check and not totally collapsing.
Porto Capitalizes
It took Portugal little time, though, to work out the situation. A well-worked team goal to make it 1-0 a little before the half-time break slipped them ahead in the game. A sweeping move all the way down the right flank completely caught United’s defense out of position. The ball was whipped into the box, and Porto’s striker Evanilson had no where to go but slot it past André Onana. United went into the break not only playing catch-up but were now on reduced strength. It was evident that Erik ten Hag had a lot of significant changes to make over the interval. The task ahead for United seemed an almost impossible task, and many fans feared the worst as they tuned in to watch from home.
Image Name: Harry Maguire Rescues Point For Manchester United
Image Credit: The Guardian
United’s Resilience and Perseverance
Despite the shock of falling behind, Manchester United showed a remarkable sense of resilience. Coming out in the second half, the team adopted a more compact formation to protect the defense while looking for counterattacking opportunities. United’s wingers, Rashford and Garnacho, were tasked with the width and stretching out the Porto defense despite being a man short. And, the breakthrough came at the 62nd minute in the form of a sublime and perfectly weighted free-kick by Bruno Fernandes from the fringe of the box. His delivery found Victor Lindelöf to rise above the Porto defenders to power the ball into the net.
Against the run of play United had clawed back to 1-1 and there was a glimmer of hope for the traveling fans. However, Porto was not willing to settle for a draw. They pushed forward in attack and were rewarded in the 75th minute, when Porto’s Otávio received a through ball, put himself in a one-on-one situation with Onana and calmly slotted the ball into the box to restore Porto’s lead. At 2-1, it appeared United’s endeavors would be left unrewarded as Porto was poised to claim a hard-won win.
Maguire’s Moment of Redemption
As the clock kept on running down and with the tie seeming to sink out of their hands, United never gave up hope of having an equalizing goal. Harry Maguire, who in the last seasons has been under massive criticism concerning his performances for his team, stood tall at his need for his teammates.
As the match reached into stoppage time, United earned a corner. Again, it was Bruno Fernandes in the thick of it, floating a damaging ball in from the right. This delivery met the towering Maguire, who headed it past Porto’s keeper to make the score level at 2-2 once more. For United fans, the defender’s header was pure relief; it testified to Maguire’s resilience. The events that followed were electric. Maguire has been severely criticized for his form and lack of confidence. Today was the day he had to rise to the task at hand. A goal rescued a point, but more importantly gave the much-needed boost for a United side which has failed to find consistency this season.
A Point Well Earned
While United fans would have wished for all three points, the context of the game made a point earned seem like a victory in itself. Manchester United shows the kind of grit and determination they will need if they are going to go all the way in this competition by playing the match with 10 men for most of the time and coming back twice.Erik ten Hag praised his side’s spirit after the match: “It was not easy, but the lads showed fight. Harry [Maguire] was outstanding, and he deserves all the credit for that header.” Porto will have been disappointed at having wasted so many chances. Porto had played well for most of the game but couldn’t end the match when United were down to 10 men.
Preview
The match left Manchester United in a relatively good position in their group in the Europa League. Of course, the result was far from perfect, but rallying together under such pressure clearly will definitely please Ten Hag. The match may prove to be the turning point for Harry Maguire in his season. Normally further criticized, the late strike from a defender might be what helps him regain some confidence in himself as well as in relation with United fans. MANCHESTER United will now look to the Premier League as consistency has been a rare commodity. For now, at least, though, they have ensured it was not their evening of despair, thanks to Harry Maguire’s heroics.
