Despite being beaten 3-2 by Bodo/Glimt in matchday one, the Portuguese side registered a whopping 28 shots, their most in a European match since they played Roma in 2019.

With such a high shot count things could easily get away from Man Utd who’s defence has not been as strong as it would like so far this season.

The two clubs have met eight times with Manchester United winning three of these fixtures in comparison to Porto’s two victories.

The last time United visited the Estadio do Dragao, Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-range effort sealed a narrow 1-0 victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Can the repeat that success tonight?

The defence calls the Tottenham No 10. “Even [James] Maddison when he gets up, he said it was a foul but never a red card,” insisted Bruno Fernandes. And if it was an accurate version of events; but even if with a star witness, he was pleading in vain. “I don’t think it was a red card,” said Erik ten Hag. “I don’t know why VAR doesn’t call the referee to the screen,” added Fernandes

There is a simple answer to that: because Chris Kavanagh’s initial decision was correct, because a high challenge connected with Maddison’s leg when nowhere near the ball. Fernandes’s lunge looked reckless and out of control, the sort that could be deemed dangerous. Cut through the Portuguese’s grumbles, however, and there was one pertinent comment. “I let my teammates down with one man down,” said Fernandes

Here is a round-up of Manchester United’s injury concerns:

Kobbie Mainoo - The midfielder was substituted during the 3-0 defeat by Tottenham but trained with the squad this week and appears to be fully fit.

Mason Mount - Mount came on against Spurs only to be taken off again with a head injury. He sat out of training this week but it is thought to be a precautionary measure after he suffered a minor cut, rather than any concussion. He is a doubt for Porto but is likely to be available for the weekend’s trip to Aston Villa.

Harry Maguire - Maguire missed the Tottenham game with an unspecified knock in training, but he was back in training this week and is expected to be available.

Victor Lindelof - Lindelof is back in training and the Swedish defender could make his first appearance of the season in the coming weeks.

Luke Shaw - The full-back’s injury troubles have continued this season but he could be back later this month after progress from his calf strain.

Leny Yoro - The big-money signing is not expected to be fit until November after fracturing a foot bone. “Yes, he is doing very well,” Ten Hag said last week. “It is very pleasing that his rehab is going in the right direction and I expect him soon, but what I mean by soon, is that he is now in the right planning process.

“He is in the right spot and he will return as soon as possible into the squad and then the team training.”

Tyrell Malacia - The full-back missed the entire 2023-24 season with a knee injury, but he was named in United’s Europa League group stage squad to suggest a return is imminent. However, Malacia has still not featured in team training so November is a likely return.

Man Utd boss, Erik ten Hag, reiterated his claim that the team are in “transition” but can still achieve their targets this season.

Having won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his first two years in charge, Ten Hag believes United can challenge for silverware again.

“From the moment I came in, we knew we had to change,” he said. “We had to replace some older players and bring new players in. Our choice was to bring young players in and you know that takes time to get the messages on board, to get a game model on board and to introduce a new culture that takes time.

“In the meantime, you have to win and I think we have proven in the last two years, and we win. And I’ve proven in my career that always I will win. The last six years I have [won] eight trophies.

“We have to embed the game model, we have to embed a stronger team as we have now and so we have to work on our problems and give the solutions. We have a good potential on players so once it’s embedded we will go and we will drive, and I’m sure we will achieve the targets we have set for this season.

“That is always winning trophies and finishing as high as possible of course in the league because that is definitely a very important purpose for us.”

Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, says his players need to keep believing that they can turn their form and results around.

“The most important is always keeping the belief,” he told Sky Sports. “You stay in the game by keeping the belief. That’s the most important message that we have to give because if you lose your faith you lose everything.

“We have to keep going and stick to the plan and move on.”

Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United’s “most important” problem to solve is improving the team’s self-belief ahead of important fixtures against Porto and Aston Villa this week.

The manager is under increased pressure after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur but is set to be given the trips to Porto and Villa before the international break.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Ten Hag insisted that he is not worried about losing his job if results do not go United’s way and said the club are “together” under the new ownership.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says that his team are ‘mad’ and ‘disappointed’ about their recent results and he’s backing them to turnaround their recent form/

“As always when we are not winning, we are very disappointed and we are also mad, mad with ourselves and especially when you lose a game like Sunday,” Ten Hag said at Wednesday’s delayed news conference.

“We are mad and from the madness we have to get motivation and go onto the next game.”

United have made their joint-worst start to a Premier League season after losing three of their first six games - including 3-0 defeats to Liverpool and Spurs at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag is set to be given United’s next two games, which are tough trips to Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

United’s visit to Villa Park comes on Sunday and is followed by the October international break, which could spell bad news for Ten Hag if results continue to go against him.

“In modern football, I believe that players want to see a bit more passion in their coach,” the former Porto and Blackburn striker told Portuguese outlet ZeroZero. “They need to feel that the coach is with them and willing to fight alongside them.

“Tactically, I feel that Erik is at the top. He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That’s where we differ, him and I.”