Man United’s defending is slammed by Owen Hargreaves and Karen Carney as Erik ten Hag’s side ship three to Porto in dramatic Europa League draw
Manchester United’s defending has been slammed by TNT Sports pundits after their draw with Porto in the Europa League.
United were looking to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat at home by Tottenham on Sunday and looked in good form as they raced into a 2-0 lead courtesy of Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund.
But defensive lapses in concentration meant it was soon 2-2, and former Chelsea target Samu Omorodion scored his second of the game and his side’s third to give the hosts the lead.
It looked to have been enough but Harry Maguire salvaged a late point with a header in stoppage time after his captain, Bruno Fernandes, had once again been sent off.
It was the 24th time United had conceded three or more goals under Ten Hag, and Owen Hargreaves and Karen Carney criticised their latest defensive effort post-match.
Manchester United’s defending in their 3-3 Europa League draw with Porto has been slammed
The likes of Matthijs De Ligt struggled throughout as the Red Devils shipped three to the Portuguese side
Owen Hargreaves (left) and Karen Carney (right) were critical of the team on TNT Sports
‘Defensively they looked like they really struggled,’ Hargreaves said. ‘[Lisandro Martinez and [Matthijs] De Ligt had a really tough day at the office.’
He added: ‘The gaps are too big there. Samu caused De Ligt absolute nightmares.
‘Today they had defensive issues. He’s got to find a consistent centre back partnerships. He’s got to find goals at the top of the pitch.’
Carney, meanwhile, said: ‘The two centre backs are literally holding hands. They’re so close to each other. Martinez is thinking, “Do I do De Ligt’s job?”
‘They were really, really poor.’
United spent nearly £120million on new defenders in the summer, with Noussair Mazraoui (£17.1m) and De Ligt (£42.7m) both starting on Thursday night.
Martinez, who has partnered De Ligt over the last few games, cost United £55m two years ago.
Yet the club’s defensive record has shown no signs of improving and the Red Devils have now conceded seven goals in their last three games in all competitions.
Lisandro Martinez (right) struggled again as United conceded three or more for the 24th time under Ten Hag
They have taken just two points from their two matches in the Europa League so far
They have just two points to their names from their two matches in the Europa League and sit 21st out of 36 in the new league phase table.
The United hierarchy continue to back Ten Hag despite his struggles as manager.
