Preview: Manchester United vs. FC Twente

Manchester United is all set to kick off their 2024-25 Europa League adventure with a showdown against Dutch side FC Twente at Old Trafford this Wednesday night!

September 24, 2024
6:18 pm

It’s the first time these two clubs are going head-to-head, but United has a pretty solid track record against Dutch teams at home, having lost just one of their last nine encounters.

Even though they wrapped up last season in a disappointing eighth place in the Premier League, the Red Devils are back in the Europa League for the seventh time since it got a makeover in 2009, all thanks to their FA Cup win over rivals Manchester City in May. This season has been a bit of a mixed bag for Erik ten Hag’s squad, with three wins, three losses, and one draw in their seven matches so far. Their latest match ended in a goalless draw with Crystal Palace, where they dominated but just couldn’t find the back of the net, leaving them sitting 11th in the Premier League.

Ten Hag was a bit miffed after the Palace match, saying his team “ate Palace alive” in the first half but just couldn’t make it count. Now, they’re three points off the top four, and all eyes are on their Europa League opener. This match kicks off a busy schedule of eight games in the newly-expanded 36-team competition, with United set to face FC Twente, Porto, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, PAOK, Bodo/Glimt, Viktoria Plzen, Rangers, and FCSB in the group stage.

Having lost just once in their last 24 home games in the Europa League, United will be feeling pretty confident going into this one and are seen as one of the favorites to lift the trophy, which they last snagged in 2017.

On the flip side, FC Twente is coming into this match after a cracking start to their Eredivisie season, sitting fourth with 11 points from their first six matches. The Tukkers have won their last two league games, including a 2-0 win over Heerenveen and a smashing 5-0 victory against Almere City, with goals from Sem Steijn (2), Sam Lammers, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, and Anass Salah-Eddine.

After finishing third in the Eredivisie last season, Twente is back in European action for the first time since the 2012-13 Europa League group stage. Under coach Joseph Oosting, who took the reins in July 2023, Twente is keen to shake off a seven-match winless streak in the Europa League. However, their history against English teams isn’t exactly encouraging, with just one win in their last 13 meetings – a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham in the 2011-12 Europa League.

Twente will be aiming to upset the odds and make a statement at Old Trafford, but with Manchester United’s strong home form in the competition, the Red Devils will be hoping to kick off their European campaign with a bang!