Manchester United play Porto in the Europa League this week as the pressure on Erik ten Hag mounts.

After the Red Devils fell to a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford against Tottenham, talkSPORT understands the Dutchman has definitely been given the next two games.

Ten Hag is facing an uphill battle to save his jobGetty

Man United are currently in the bottom half of the table and could only manage a draw in their opening Europa League game against FC Twente, so a win in Portugal is imperative.

However, that will be far from easy, given Porto have won their last three European home ties.

But the Portuguese giants lost their opening Europa League game 3-2 to Bodo/Glimt, so they’ll be looking for a big response in front of their fans.

Porto vs Man United: Ten Hag’s woe

In the summer, United had a decision to make over Ten Hag.

Yes, they won a trophy, but the league performance was disappointing as they finished eighth and only made the Europa League because they were victorious in the FA Cup.

However, despite rumours the Dutchman was going to be sacked, the club gave him a new contract and backed him with a big transfer budget.

Money was splashed on Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee.

Yet here we are in October, and Ten Hag is fighting to save his job again after a poor start to the season.

Losing 3-0 at home to Liverpool and Tottenham isn’t a good look, and with Porto and Aston Villa to come before the international break, we could be looking at a very tricky period for Ten Hag if he fails to win at least one of those games.

The statistics don’t make good reading if you are Ten Hag

FC Porto have won two of their eight European meetings with Manchester United (D3 L3), with this their most recent game against one another since a 2008-09 UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash, won 1-0 by the Red Devils.

Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 12 major European matches against Portuguese clubs (W9 D3) since losing 2-1 to Benfica in December 2005.

FC Porto have won their last three major European home matches, all in last season’s UEFA Champions League. They haven’t won four in a row since March 2019.

Porto vs Man United: Date and how to follow

This Europa League tie will take place on Thursday, October 3.

Kick-off at the Estadio do Dragao is set for 8pm UK time.

talkSPORT will have live coverage from Portugal, with Hugh Woozencroft serving as your presenter.

Commentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend.

talkSPORT.com will have regular updates in our dedicated Europa League blog.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Porto took Arsenal all the way to penalties in the Champions League last yearGetty

Manchester United’s last four away European matches have seen 23 goals scored (9 for, 14 against) – despite scoring three goals in each of their last three on the road, they haven’t won any (D1 L2).

In their 3-2 defeat to Bodø/Glimt on MD1, FC Porto attempted 28 shots, their most in a match in major European competition since March 2019 against Roma in the UEFA Champions League (31), and most in a UEFA Europa League game since December 2010 against CSKA Sofia (28).

Porto vs Man United: Team news

The hosts have a couple of injury concerns and will be without Zaidu Sanusi and Ivan Mercano, who both suffered ACL injuries last season.

But Arsenal loanee Fabio Vieira is fit and could come into midfield to take on Man United.

Samu Omorodion, who nearly joined Chelsea in the summer, will lead the line for Porto.

For the Red Devils, Yoro and Luke Shaw remain on the treatment table.

There are also doubts over Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount after they suffered knocks at the weekend.

Bruno Fernandes will play ahead of his domestic ban after being sent off against Spurs for a bad tackle on James Maddison.

Fernandes has no Premier League game this weekend after his sending off, so he will most likely start

Porto vs Man United: What has been said?

Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown has openly questioned whether Ruud van Nistelrooy is doing all he can to support Ten Hag.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I’m looking at Van Nistelrooy. Is he giving everything to this manager? This manager looks very lonely on the sideline.

“Is Van Nistelrooy waiting to take over? Because it looks as if there’s going to be change taking place there.

“Is everyone adding to the group? I’m not seeing that from Van Nistelrooy. Ten Hag is just sitting there, nothing going on, no conversation. Pep goes back and speaks to the gurus next to him.

“Is everybody looking in the mirror at themselves giving their best?”