Harry Maguire rescues Man Utd but Erik ten Hag on brink after Porto collapse - 5 talking points

PORTO 3-3 MAN UTD: The Premier League outfit were cruising when Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund put them two-goals ahead before Porto scored three times to turn the game around, only for Harry Maguire to equalise in stoppage time

Manchester United squandered a two-goal lead but salvaged a point in Porto courtesy of a late Harry Maguire header.

The visitors set themselves up perfectly with two early strikes before the hosts set about picking their opponents apart with Samu Omorodion looking like he'd completed their comeback early in the second-half. Just as Porto looked set for victory though Maguire, appearing off the bench, headed home from a corner to silence the home crowd.

Arriving in Porto off the back of a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Tottenham the Dutch manager knew he needed a response with pressure ramping up. Marcus Rashford answered his plea as he finished past Diogo Costa within just seven minutes.

Rasmus Hojlund put the Premier League outfit in control of the game with a second on 20 minutes before Porto sparked the game into life and exposed United's defensive flaws. Pepe was the quickest to react from an Andre Onana save as he tapped home.

Omorodion headed Porto's second to complete their comeback before the half-time whistle as United threatened a collapse. The frontman, linked with Chelsea in the summer, notched another to put the hosts ahead as he fired home at the near post.

United's night went from bad to worse as their captain Bruno Fernandes was shown red with ten minutes remaining and Porto had more chances - but is was the English outfit who came up trumps with their centre-half heading home to rescue a point, but it will have done little to quash the doubters.

Here's our talking points from an action packed evening in Portugal.

1. United dig deep - but major issues remain

How excited can you get about a point when you had put yourself 2-0 up? That will be the question for those from Old Trafford, who had to dig deep and overcome several setbacks to eventually leave Portugal with a share of the spoils.

It had looked as if they were cruising towards three points with a statement performance, but Porto were able to cut through them time and time again to put themselves in control in what was an end-to-end encounter. The goals kept flowing and United got the game's sixth to land themselves a point - but it is a point that will surely feel like more of a loss.

2. No defensive reshuffle?

Talking of the manager - some things he can't be held responsible for, but selection is one area he certainly can. His reluctance to change his backline continues to baffle, especially given the amount of goals they continue to ship. Ten Hag named the same back four that shipped three against Tottenham and Liverpool.

Matthijs de Ligt has certainly not had the desired affect since arriving in the summer and he was beaten to the ball by Omorodion, who headed home Porto's second. True to form, having done so twice in recent domestic losses, they shipped a third goal as Omorodion grabbed another. Even after that the gaps continued to come with the backline clearly their biggest issue.

3. All eyes on Aston Villa

Those at Villa Park are still buzzing off a famous European night that saw them down Bayern Munich. United meanwhile, not even in the same competition, have to prepare for a second unenviable away day. Porto's hostility is followed by the difficulty that comes with a trip to Villa.

Rarely does Unai Emery see his team lose on their own patch, albeit United were one of the few teams to win at Villa Park last term. As we speak though United are not in a good place with frailties all over the pitch. Sooner or later the Manchester hierarchy will need to see a performance that shows things are changing for the better - because it didn't come in Porto.

4. Hojlund back with a bang

The Dane has been missing all season but returned with a timely strike in Portugal. By no means the prolific striker United are craving, yet Hojlund was able to make the most of a half chance which put the Red Devils two goals up, at least momentarily.

Ten Hag has struggled for someone to lead the line in the opening weeks with Joshua Zirkzee perhaps preferring a deeper role. It means Hojlund can slot straight back into his usual position, leaving the United boss with one less headache, and presenting their striker with the chance to progress and develop like so many in Manchester hope he will.

5. Costa struggles

Onana has had enough critics and doubters over the past 12 months since coming in as David de Gea's replacement. Previously though Costa himself was considered as a replacement such was his form with Porto and then Portugal. His stock only rose further at the Euros.

Thursday though was not his night with both of United's early goals owing to his errors. His saves were not strong enough and he was beaten from acute angles - none of which you'd associate with a leading goalkeeper. That, in his defence, is out of character, but it was certainly a night to forget for the Porto No 1 - who could've been wearing the United shirt had things taken different routes.

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