Porto vs. Manchester United: Out-of-form Red Devils Seek Redemption in Europa League Clash

Erik ten Hag's Manchester United face a daunting task when they travel to Portugal to face Porto in the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie. The Red Devils have endured a frustrating slump in form, leaving them in dire need of a positive result to restore confidence and silence their critics.

United have won just one of their last six Premier League games, a run that has seen them drop out of the top four and lose ground in the race for Champions League qualification. The Red Devils' struggles have been compounded by a lack of goals, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial both enduring barren spells in front of goal.

Porto vs. Manchester United: Out-of-form Red Devils Seek Redemption in Europa League Clash

Porto, meanwhile, are in excellent form. They currently sit top of the Primeira Liga and have won their last five games in all competitions. The Portuguese giants will be confident of causing United problems, particularly at home, where they have a formidable record.

Ten Hag will be desperate to see his team produce a performance that belies their recent struggles. The Dutch manager knows that victory in Portugal would provide a much-needed boost to morale and give United a platform to build on in the second leg.

However, United will need to be at their best to overcome Porto. The Portuguese club are well-organized and defensively sound, and they will be buoyed by the passionate support of their home crowd.

United will also need to be wary of Porto's attacking threats. The likes of Evanilson, Mehdi Taremi, and Joao Mario are all capable of causing problems for even the best defenses.

The first leg of the tie is finely poised. Porto will be confident of claiming a first-leg advantage, but United have the quality to cause them problems. If Ten Hag can inspire his team to produce a performance of character and determination, then they have every chance of returning to Manchester with a positive result.

* Manchester United travel to Porto in the Europa League knockout tie.

* United have endured a frustrating slump in form, winning just one of their last six Premier League games.

* Porto are in excellent form, sitting top of the Primeira Liga and winning their last five games in all competitions.

* Ten Hag will be desperate to see his team produce a performance that belies their recent struggles.

* United will need to be at their best to overcome Porto, who are well-organized and defensively sound.

* Porto's attacking threats, such as Evanilson, Mehdi Taremi, and Joao Mario, will need to be watched closely.

* The first leg of the tie is finely poised, with both teams capable of claiming a first-leg advantage.