It literally had everything. Ups, downs, joy, anger, frustration, sadness and right at the death, sweet, sweet relief 😌.
Yes MUFC managed to cock up our day once again in the way only they know how.
This was a performance that gave no indication that this was a must-win game.
Although the Red Devils did start off relatively well as 2 goals in 20 minutes by Marcus Rashford and a returning Rasmus Hojlund gave Erik ten Hag's side the early lead.
We do have to thank a contender for MUFC's man of the match Diogo Costa for those 2 goals because he should be saving them. We complain about Onana a lot but this was as if Costa was watching too much of our shot stopper!
This advantage gave us a lot of joy as it was surprising and we never know when we're going to get it again. A pity we scored so early because not long after, in typical United fashion, we give a stupid goal away.
Not long after that, in typical United fashion, we give a stupid goal away.
2-2 in what felt like next to no time.
If Costa messed up for Porto, ten Hag's old-school midfield of Eriksen, Casemiro and Bruno as well as his new defence of De Ligt and Martinez more than made up for Porto's number 1's mistakes.
The home side ran through our midfield with ease and were in behind us so simply. There was no challenge put on their runners at any point and they had loads of spaces to exploit.
A lack of tracking back by Rashford helped caused Dalot a lot of problems in defence although with the way he played, he didn't need the extra help.
Not stopping the cross on both goals gave Porto a way back into it and undid the strikes by Rashford and Hojlund.
Rashford then had to come off for Garnacho because of rotation as ten Hag said post-match. I don't know why. He was causing problems going forward even if defensively he was poor.
The second half starts as only United can start, slowly, and by conceding a goal. Minute 50 saw Samu Omorodion score his second and Porto's third. Another simple pass through the midfield wipes out our entire team allowing Porto to have a run down the right. With Martinez's lack of pace and De Ligt not marking the striker well enough, the home side took the lead from behind.
3-2 and hopes were dashed.
I think that's the part that kills you: the hope. At least against Spurs we were hopeless whereas this game, we showed that we can get something.
More fool us I suppose.
The game then sort of flattened from then on as Vitor Bruno's side were content with holding their lead and hitting us on the break.
Things then livened up towards the end as captain Bruno Fernandes decided it wasn't easy enough for his side and got a red card.
The skipper was booked in the first half for a high boot and was given his marching orders for a similar challenge late on. Tbh, neither were yellows when taking a second look at them.
But this meant it was his second red in two games when before these games, Bruno had never received a red in his career. He's getting sent off this season, he was injured last season. If that doesn't tell you that this past year wasn't cursed, I don't know what will.
As expected with time running out, Erik ten Hag made changes to affect the game.
He takes off both Martinez and De Ligt to bring on Maguire and Evans. I kid you not. Those were the changes of the manager. He also brought on Antony and Zirkzee before those defensive substitutions. I forgot about them.
You're losing a game with minutes to go and you decide to bring on two centre-backs who are past it. I don't care if we're ten men, those were stupid changes. It was at this point I thought that maybe he wants the sack. Maybe ten Hag sees that £17.5m and says 'Yes. I'll have some of that.'
But more fool us because one of those changes (Maguire) managed to score a last-minute equalizer and salvage something from what would've been an otherwise forgetful evening.
It was kind of a throwback game as Eriksen and Casemiro started; the Dane got two assists, Rashford scored and assisted; and Maguire scored.
The band was back together 🙌.
Erik ten Hag's team selection always causes debate. His selection of that midfield trio raised eyebrows because of it's lack of energy, running power and overall ability to cover ground. Casemiro also hasn't played in a while and it showed. Although this game would suggest he hadn't played football at all before this match, but anyway.
The Dutchman's side gave him the best possible start but quickly threw it away as only they can. I'm not sure what he was thinking at this point but it couldn't have been good.
He has to look at himself for a lot of what happened in that game as it has happened far too many times under his watch.
Open midfield, defence not good enough, lack of focus, not stopping the crosses, being slow and lazy and much more.
This draw means that he will survive at least one more game but play like this on Sunday and they may as well sack him now.
Ratings
Onana - 6
Mazraoui - 6
De Ligt - 4
Martinez - 3
Dalot - 4
Casemiro - 4
Eriksen - 6
Amad - 5
Bruno - 4
Rashford - 6
Hojlund - 6
Garnacho - 6
Antony - 5
Zirkzee - 5
Evans - 5
Maguire - 6
Costa - 10 MOTM
Erik ten Hag - 4
Final Thoughts
Take the draw. As much as I wanted the win, the draw was the best we could've hoped for considering how the game was going. We needed more both in terms of result and performance but that is obviously too much to ask for.
He will most likely be sacked come Monday because we got no chance against Villa.
This was an average performance that we managed to get something out of and with ten men in the end. Imagine if we actually got our act together what we can do.
Knowing the potential of this team, that is the most disappointing thing.
Background Image: Harry Maguire scores a late equalizer against Porto | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)