Manchester United Prepares for Challenging Europa League Clash Against Porto

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has acknowledged the challenge his team will face in their upcoming Europa League match against FC Porto. The match is set to take place at the Estadio do Dragao this Thursday evening. Although Fernandes was recently sent off in a match against Tottenham Hotspur, his suspension applies only to domestic games, leaving him eligible for the European competition.

Fernandes, who hails from Porto himself and has a personal history with the city’s rival club Boavista, offered insights into the forthcoming fixture. “It’s a side that always does really well in Europe, we have to be aware of that,” he said, emphasizing the quality of Porto as a formidable opponent. “It’s a team that has a great spirit, [are] improving a lot in the last few games, even if they lost the last game in the Europa League,” he added.

Manchester United, recovering from a weekend defeat to Tottenham, will be eager to bounce back against a Porto side that recently recorded a 4-0 win over Arouca in the domestic league. Despite suffering defeat in their Europa League opener against Norway’s Bodo/Glimt, Porto has seen positive results in their local competition under the new management of Vitor Bruno. The former assistant has been making strides since taking over the head coaching responsibilities.

Recalling previous encounters, the Red Devils’ last meeting with Porto dates back to 2009, when Cristiano Ronaldo‘s memorable long-range goal secured their place in the next round of the Champions League. Another notable match at the Estadio do Dragao occurred in 2004, resulting in a narrow 2-1 defeat under Jose Mourinho‘s leadership, with Porto eventually winning the European title that season.

As United gears up for this encounter, Fernandes asserted the team’s resolve to secure victory. “We expect a really difficult game there, but we go there to win because it’s everything that we have to think about.” His confidence reflects the determined mindset of the squad as they prepare for Thursday’s challenge.