Man Utd stunned as FC Twente seal away draw in revamped UEL

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United’s latest setback came at the hands of manager Erik ten Hag’s old team FC Twente, which pulled off a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the revamped Europa League on Wednesday.

Sam Lammers capitalized on a mistake by Christian Eriksen in the second half and raced away to fire an equalizer for the Dutch underdog.

Eriksen had put United ahead with a stunning first-half goal but was caught in possession by Lammers, whose goal secured an unexpected point for the visitors.

Ten Hag had spoken before the game of his affection for the team he supported as a boy in the Netherlands and represented as a player. He said it was “not nice to have to hurt something you love,” but it was United fans left in pain, despite Eriksen seemingly putting the home team on course for victory.

The Denmark international swept United ahead in the 35th with a first-time shot into the top corner. Connecting with a loose ball just inside the box, the playmaker didn’t break stride as he whipped his effort past past Twente goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall with power and precision.

With one fist clenched, he ran to the corner to celebrate in front of the home fans.

But it was Twente’s supporters left cheering the loudest after Lammers’ goal in the 68th when beating Andre Onana at his near post.

Like the Champions League, the second-tier Europa League has a new format and 36 teams instead of 32. It features a league system in which each team plays eight games against different opponents through January, replacing the old group stage.