Manchester United face a confident FC Twente side this week coming off a 5-0 win – but is the result deceiving?
FC Twente warmed up in style at the weekend ahead of Wednesday’s showdown with Manchester United in the Europa League.
Sem Steijn netted two goals in a 5-0 victory for his side, who rank in fourth place in the Eredivisie.
The result was the best of Twente’s season so far, and they have conceded only five goals in six matches.
But they have been warned that there are weaknesses in their play that Manchester United could exploit at Old Trafford.
Twente warned ahead of Man Utd clash
If there is one thing Manchester United know all about, it is allowing too many shots at goal. It was a real problem in 2023/24.
United are much more rigid this season, harder to break down, with Erik ten Hag making significant improvements.
While Twente won their match against Almere 5-0, they have been warned that they allowed too many chances to the relegation strugglers – that Manchester United’s players would punish.
Almere City actually had the same number of shots at goal as Twente, 16 each. The difference in finishing was sizeable, however.
Dutch journalist Leon ten Voorde is quoted via Twente Fans warning the team that Manchester United will punish such sloppy play.
He said: ” You can look critically at the first half. Almere City had thirteen attempts on goal, I believe. That is not possible. Unnerstall [goalkeeper] saves you a few times there.
“What if Rashford is there? What if Fernandes is there? If you think you can afford this at Old Trafford, you will be 5-0 down at half-time.”
Man Utd finishing a concern
Last week Manchester United were 3-0 up at half-time against Barnsley. That was a rarity, a scoreline over the first 45 minutes that the team has never bettered. United went on to win 7-0.
While that was the biggest win for Ten Hag as United manager, United’s finishing overall this season has been poor.
After the 0-0 draw with Palace at the weekend, it emerged that United have missed more ‘big chances’ in the Premier League than any other team.
Bruno Fernandes is one of the chief culprits, yet to score a single goal this season. Marcus Rashford only has one league goal, too.
While it would be helpful if Twente present United with a lot of chances this week – there are no guarantees the Red Devils would actually be able to take them.
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