Manchester United: 'Unacceptable' - Karen Carney alarmed by Christian Eriksen's claims that FC Twente 'wanted it more'

Updated 26/09/2024 at 06:28 GMT

Christian Eriksen scored a stunning first-half goal to put Manchester United ahead at Old Trafford but his error then allowed FC Twente to get an equaliser and, ultimately, take a point from their UEFA Europa League opener. Eriksen questioned his team's desire following the match, saying they were "far from good enough" on a soggy night at Old Trafford.

Christian Eriksen

Image credit: Getty Images

Christian Eriksen questioned his team’s desire after Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Europa League opener against FC Twente.

Eriksen gave United the lead in the first half at Old Trafford with a stunning strike, but it was a mistake from the Dane that allowed the Dutch side to equalise.

He was caught in possession in his own half, leaving Sam Lammers to race through on goal before slotting the ball past Andre Onana.

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Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire both went close to a winner for Erik ten Hag’s side, but they were forced to settle for a point.

Speaking to TNT Sports following the match, Eriksen revealed there is plenty of frustration throughout the squad.

“Mostly disappointed as a team, I think obviously we wanted more but in the end it was far from good enough,“ Eriksen said. “They looked like they wanted it more than us and that can’t be right.“

Asked where the blame lies for a below-par second-half performance, Eriksen said: “Everyone is looking at themselves.

“Everyone is professional footballers, they know what to do and know what can’t happen and a game like today, obviously we don’t lose but it feels like a loss.

"That’s something that, at home, against Twente can’t happen.“

'It's unacceptable'

Reacting to Eriksen's comments, former England player Karen Carney - who was watching the game for TNT Sports - said: "You can’t have that, that’s unacceptable.

"You’re at home, you should want it more, you’re 1-0 up, you have to be ruthless.

"I didn’t see a ruthless edge from United."

Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves was alongside Carney and added: “I didn’t really get that impression that they [Twente] wanted it more.

“But [Twente’s] energy and effort peaked towards that second half. I thought United, their heads went down after that goal, after that mistake from Eriksen.

“He’s right, it’s not good enough. At home, 1-1 against a side like Twente, you expect them to win the game and they didn’t get the job done.”

United return to action in the Premier League on Sunday with Tottenham Hotspur the visitors to Old Trafford.

They then travel to FC Porto for their first away European match of the season on October 3. Porto started their Europa League campaign with a 3-2 defeat against Bodo/Glimt.

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