If Manchester United’s struggles in the Premier League could be attributed to tough opponents, Crickex Login finds it far more troubling that the Red Devils were only able to draw against Twente in the Europa League—a team far from Europe’s elite. Despite Erik ten Hag’s confident pre-match comments, United delivered yet another disjointed performance, plagued by the same persistent issues: lack of creativity, poor midfield coordination, and misfiring attacks.

According to observations by Crickex Login, Ten Hag’s tactical philosophy depends on strikers working in tandem to generate space and opportunities. This system requires at least one midfield orchestrator who can dictate the rhythm, build play through effective passing, and keep the creative channels open. But during this match, that crucial role was nowhere to be seen. Bruno Fernandes, supposedly the team’s key playmaker, turned the ball over repeatedly and contributed little else. While his running stats may look impressive, distance covered alone is no measure of effective playmaking.

Things were even worse in central midfield. Ugarte performed adequately on the defensive end but lacked the vision and precision needed to transition into attack. Marcus Rashford was reluctant to drop back and support the midfield, while Zirkzee ran tirelessly but often found himself out of sync with the flow of the game. Only veteran Christian Eriksen showed glimpses of value, stepping up in moments where others faltered. Still, relying on a player nearing the twilight of his career to carry the creative burden is hardly a sustainable solution. Ironically, it was Eriksen’s long-range strike that salvaged a point—an outcome dripping with dark humor. Without his goal, United might well have lost.

Perhaps the most damning statistic? Manchester United recorded just one real scoring opportunity despite firing 16 shots inside the box. Those numbers speak volumes about the team’s inefficiency and lack of cohesion in the final third.

Tactical adjustments—or the lack thereof—also played a pivotal role. Twente’s head coach quickly recognized United’s advantage on the flanks and made the necessary changes: wingers dropped back to support their full-backs, creating a defensive shield that neutralized United’s wing play. Initially, United did generate some chances from wide areas, but Twente’s response gradually shut that door. That level of tactical awareness from Twente stood in stark contrast to Ten Hag’s rigidity.

Once their wide options were cut off, United had no backup plan. Their offensive effort became increasingly desperate, relying on low-percentage shots with little strategic structure. Most disappointing, however, was the midfield pairing of Ugarte and Eriksen being overrun after losing possession—an all-too-familiar scenario for longtime United supporters.

Crickex Login notes that while the addition of Ugarte was initially viewed as a promising move, the early signs are concerning. His struggles at PSG may have stemmed from coaching decisions, but his limitations in ball progression are now under the spotlight again.

In the end, Manchester United’s latest draw didn’t just cost them points—it raised fresh doubts about their tactical identity, team chemistry, and Erik ten Hag’s ability to solve long-standing issues that continue to haunt the club.