Manchester United vs Twente

Manchester United’s 2024/25 UEFA Europa League campaign kicks off at Old Trafford as they take on Dutch outfit Twente for the first time.

When it looked like Erik ten Hag could inspire Manchester United to a substantial winning streak, disaster struck, with Crystal Palace holding the Red Devils to an uninspiring 0-0 draw at the weekend. A heartbreaking result at Selhurst Park ended United’s two-game winning run, during which they netted ten unanswered goals, making for unenviable reading ahead of their fourth Europa League appearance in 11 years after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Already chasing down the Premier League leading pack, Man Utd could find the Europa League a welcoming distraction, especially considering they’ve lost just one of their last 24 home outings in Europe’s second-tier competition (W18, D5). If they can strengthen that record without conceding, it would be the first time since January 2023 that they’ve kept four consecutive clean sheets.

Visiting Twente couldn’t have hoped for a sterner test on paper as they embark on their first season in the main draw of a UEFA competition since 2012/13. Despite the odds stacked against them, the Dutch side can take heart from beating Fulham in their last European clash against English opposition, though it was in 2011. However, that victory remains Twente’s solitary success across 13 historic encounters against Premier League clubs (D5, L7). Perhaps it’s time for a change of scenery, with Joseph Oosting’s team taking this trip in high spirits following a 5-0 rout of Almere City last weekend. Indeed, the visitors have enjoyed a decent Eredivisie start (W3, D2, L1), with two of those three wins coming away from home.