Ange welcomes more games
Ange Postecoglou has bucked the trend by saying he’s excited to have a fuller fixture schedule this season.
Tottenham are back in Europe and face their opening Europa League game against Qarabag tonight.
Postecoglou: "I am really pleased to be back there and excited to be back in it.
“I spoke about it last year that it was a real gap in our calendar and didn't help us at certain times of the year not having regular football, that challenge of playing different types of opposition and exposing our whole squad to some meaningful game-time.
“And the worst thing was sitting around watching other teams play in it. It didn't sit right with me so being back in a European competition is important."
On Qarabag, Postecoglou said: "We've had a very good look at them. We had someone fly out at the weekend and watch them play.
“They are a very good team, they dominate the local competition, but just as importantly in Europe they've always made an impact.
“We had a good look at their two games against Bayer Leverkusen (in the Europa League Round of 16 last season), they did very well and pushed Leverkusen all the way. We all know how good Leverkusen were last year, so it's not about individuals, it's about understanding and making sure we reach the level of performance we do against a very good, experienced European opponent.
“I think experience in Europe counts and Qarabag have been consistent whether it's Champions League or Europa League and always made an impact. We'll be ready for that."
Jordan takes aim
Simon Jordan says Manchester United’s draw with FC Twente will do nothing to negate the negativity surrounding Erik ten Hag.
He told talkSPORT: “This is the business end, this is it, this is what you qualify into Europe for.
“Now, it’s one game, there's plenty more to go, but that's not a great start. Manchester United need momentum, Ten Hag needs momentum.
“He needs belief, he needs to be able to put it beyond reproach the question that he only survived the axe in the summer because there was no one else.
“So [he needs a] situation where the players are on board, the results are coming and the momentum is building, then the argument about when he's going to get the bullet would go away.”
Jordan added: “You have a responsibility to represent the football club at the highest level. It's a privilege, an honour to play for one of the biggest clubs in world football.
“You should appreciate that by recognising it in your performance, knowing that the opposition arrive at Old Trafford with the legacy of people in the past, not you lot, people in the past.
“You have a responsibility to those that walked before you and the fans that you represent.
“They should be winning games like FC Twente and there's no real mitigation for it.”
‘They wanted it more’
Erik ten Hag and Christian Eriksen both admitted it was unacceptable that FC Twente showed more desire than Manchester United in last night’s Europa League draw.
Goalscorer Eriksen said: "Mostly disappointed as a team. Obviously we wanted more but in the end it was far from good enough.
"Like it just has been said also in the changing room, I think they looked like they wanted it more than us and that can't be right."
Those comments were put to Ten Hag in the post-match press conference.
"Yes, you saw it," the United boss said. "Twente, it was the game of their life and they fought for every yard. And, yeah, we didn't - 99 per cent is not enough.
"You have to give 100 per cent. You have to kill the game, you have to finish it off.
"We bring the game until the end, but you have to go for the second goal then you kill the game."
Put to Ten Hag that players should be up for a game like this, he said: "Definitely, especially as we are very ambitious.
"When you have ambition, then you have to perform, then you have to prove that point.
"Today, especially in the second half, I think we were too easy-going, too complacent. We didn't bring it over the line and, as a team, you have to deliver this."
'They looked like they wanted it more than us'
Christian Eriksen has revealed what Manchester United have been discussing in the changing room post-match.
And Red Devils fans may not be happy with what has been said...
"We're mostly disappointed as a team," he told TNT Sports.
"Obviously, we wanted more but it was far from good enough.
"It's being said also in the changing room, I think they looked like they wanted it more than us and that can't be right.
"Personally, I think you score a goal and then after you think it's going to be the match-winner but it's gone the other way."
Eriksen continued: "Everyone is looking at themselves.
"Everyone is a professional football and know what to do and know what can happen in a game like today.
"Obviously, we don't lose but it feels like a loss and that's something at home that can't happen."
'An absolute shocker'
It's a shock result for Manchester United tonight.
They should have had this game wrapped up but they let Twente into it and could have lost in the end.
And talkSPORT's Micky Gray has labelled Erik ten Hag's side's second-half performances as 'unacceptable'.
"It was an absolute shocker," Gray said on commentary.
"Twente showed determination in the second half, Man United just switched off thinking we're going to breeze through this game.
"We've seen the best of United tonight, but we've definitely seen the worst.
"They played as individuals in that second half and clearly that wasn't good enough."
He continued: "Erik ten Hag's body language in the technical area is as bad as I've seen.
"It's just shocking it really is. That was just unacceptable what we just watched. It was as bad as it gets."
Stop that, Marcus
Marcus Rashford managed to pull off a flip-flap nutmeg on Twente captain Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the first half.
He has been at the top of his game at Old Trafford, pulling off an incredible skill that shows just how good he can be.
And talkSPORT's Micky Gray is loving Rashford's performance.
Gray said live on commentary: "It's fantastic wing play.
"Remember the Brazilian Ronaldo, it was his trick, putting it through the legs and sending in a great cross.
"All you have to do is look at the body language from Marcus, it's completely different to last season."
Speaking at half time, he then continued: “It was class, this is why we get frustrated with players like Marcus Rashford.
“I bet last season you couldn’t count on two hands how many times he ran at a defender, but tonight he’s getting at them.
“He’s confident, his shoulders are back, he’s running at players.
“I’m loving what I’m seeing and it’s only going to get better.”
Rashford starts well
Marcus Rashford has been a constant threat since Man United survived that early scare from Sam Lammers.
The winger, who was left out of the starting XI by Erik ten Hag at the weekend, is taking on Bart van Rooj at every opportunity.
And he's winning every battle, causing Twente all sorts of problems.
Micky Gray live on talkSPORT: "He looks very bright, he's had a sharp start to the game and looks like he's enjoying himself.
"I love to see him get the ball down and run at a defender. We've not seen it for a season.
"He might be saying to the manager: 'That's why you can't leave me out at the weekend'.
"He needs to be playing week-in-week-out."
Back in Europe
Tottenham are preparing for their first game back in Europe tomorrow night after a year away.
Spurs failed to qualify for any competition in Antonio Conte's final year, meaning Ange Postecoglou was without continental fixtures.
But after finishing fifth in the Premier League in his first season, Postecolgou has his side back in the Europa League.
And he's delighted to have led the club there, saying at his pre-Qarabag press conference: "We're pleased to be back there and excited to be back in it.
"I spoke about it last year how it was a bit of a gap in our calendar that didn't help us at certain times in the year not having that regular football.
"And also having different types of challenges and exposing our whole squad to some meaningful time on the pitch.
"I think sitting around and watching other teams play, it didn't sit well with me either.
"So to be back in a European competition is important."
Team news
Marcus Rashford was benched against Crystal Palace as part of Erik ten Hag’s rotation but he’s likely to be back in the team tonight.
Rasmus Hojlund returned to the bench at the weekend and could return to the starting line-up at Old Trafford too.
Left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are both getting closer to a return from injury, but this game is too soon for them.
Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof remain out while Mason Mount is fit and Manuel Ugarte could make his first start for the Red Devils.
As for Twente, they will likely have former Rangers striker Sam Lammers leading the line.
And Sem Steijn will be a major threat with Ricky van Wolfswinkel a name many will recognise expected to come off the bench.
Official team news will be announced in just over an hour...