Harry Maguire salvaged a 3-3 draw for 10-man Manchester United in a wild Europa League clash with Porto on Friday (AEST).
The England centre back rose high to score the equalising goal from a trademark header in the 91st minute at Estadio do Dragao.
United had let a 2-0 lead slip to trail 3-2 in the second half and the wheels further fell off when captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the 81st minute for a high challenge for the ball that caught Nehuen Perez and resulted in his second yellow card of the night.
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Fernandes, furious at the decision, was also sent off in United’s previous 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur but the red card and a three match ban was later overturned on appeal.
It was the first red card of the Portugal veteran’s United career.
Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund scored first half goals for United before first Pepe and then a Samu Omorodion double fired the home side in front.
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United also drew their opening match in Europe, 1-1 against FC Twente.
Maguire’s late heroics only slightly ease the enormous pressure on United manager Erik ten Hag ahead of a Premier League visit to high flying Aston Villa on Monday (AEDT).
“We started the game very good and we dominated and scored two good goals, but then we lost control,” Ten Hag said.
“The start was good, the middle part was not good and we finished very good.
“You see again the team is willing, strong character, but the middle part, the defending, we have to improve.
“Nothing is easy, but this is nothing for me to panic about because I experienced it so often with my teams during seasons that you are facing those problems.”