Manchester United’s latest quest for European silverware begins on Wednesday when they host Twente as the league phase of the UEFA Europa League kicks off.
Despite an eighth-place finish in last season’s Premier League, their FA Cup triumph last spring meant they qualified for the Europa League. The competition will offer a chance for the team – and manager Erik ten Hag in particular – to redeem themselves after last season’s chaos, though it may not be a straightforward task. They open their European campaign against Twente, where ten Hag made 200-plus appearances during his playing days. The Dutch side are also currently furth in the Eredivisie after three wins in their opening six games.
Here’s what you need to know before tuning in.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Old Trafford — Stretford, England
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Manchester United -370; Draw +470; Twente +850
Storylines
If this season was supposed to offer a redemption narrative for ten Hag and company, it is so far nowhere to be found. United have just seven points from their opening five games of the Premier League season, the latest of which came from their 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday, and are plagued by a lot of the same problems of the last campaign.
Though they appear to be less chaotic this time around, United’s goal difference of zero offers a first glimpse at their issues. Their defense is still problematic – they have conceded five goals in five games – but are struggling to score, a little bit unlike last season when they were conceding and scoring in huge numbers. They have generally been wasteful, notably underperforming their expected goals in three of their first five league games. No United player has more than one goal or assist so far this season, either, giving the feeling that they have yet to kick into full gear – or offering the suggestion that there’s trouble ahead.
Prediction
United are undoubtedly imperfect, but they have the tools they need to beat Twente and are rightly the oddsmakers’ favorites in this matchup. Considering their recent form in front of goal, though, do not expect it to be a particularly interesting game. Pick: Manchester United 1, Twente 0
