Manchester United let a 2-0 lead slip in Porto (Image: The Associated Press)
Owen Hargreaves has branded Manchester United's squandering of a 2-0 advantage in their Europa League clash with Porto as "ridiculous".
In the wake of their 3-0 Premier League drubbing at the hands of Tottenham, Erik ten Hag's squad initially redeemed themselves with early goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund in Portugal.
However, the lead soon began to unravel as Pepe clawed one back for Porto, with Samu Omorodion adding salt to United's wounds by securing an equaliser prior to the break, and notching another shortly after to make it 3-2.
The Red Devils' tumultuous night took another turn when captain Bruno Fernandes received his marching orders, his second booking culminating in a dismissal for a high challenge.
Against the odds, United rallied late in the game, securing a point in dramatic fashion when Harry Maguire thundered home a header from a corner during injury time. Hargreaves, holder of a Premier League medal and 2008 Champions League glory with United, couldn't hide his dismay at the club's failure to capitalise on their initial bravado.
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"The first 20 minutes were really good, but then after that was a mess really," expressed Hargreaves on TNT Sports. "They didn't stop any crosses and to go 3-2 down after being 2-0 up was, even for United, ridiculous.
"The start was so good, then middle part of the game was crazy and then they found a way to fight back, but that is what it has been like for a couple of years.
"There will be a lot of questions. There are a lot of issues he (Ten Hag) has been there for quite a while. Credit to them, they fought back and got a point, but that game should be out of sight.
"There are tough games for Manchester United coming up, but they need to find something.
"Erik's resilient he has shown that but Villa Park (in the Premier League on Sunday) is going to be so tough. It is a big test and he needs to find a way to bounce back."
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Former England midfielder Karen Carney weighed in on United's erratic form, remarking: "It is like chaos isn't it? I genuinely don't know what I am going to get when I watch them. It is just a rollercoaster."
Carney also commented on Fernandes' conduct, suggesting that his actions were indicative of deeper issues within the team.
"If you are captain and it looks like the manager can't have control and the captain can't have control, that is maybe Bruno Fernandes' way of showing his frustration," she observed.
"The other one (red card) against Spurs was rescinded, but you can't ignore it he still kicked out. It is frustration."
