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Sir Alex Ferguson has become a regular at Manchester United away games but snubbed Thursday's trip to Porto as the pressure cranks up on Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils travelled to Portugal on Thursday evening for their second Europa League group game of the campaign. It was a game that was billed as key for Ten Hag and his hopes of keeping his job after a poor run of form.

But United were unable to get over the line. Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund netted to put them in control only for Pepe and Samu Omorodion to level matters.

The latter scored again to complete the turnaround for the hosts before Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second consecutive game. The Red Devils managed to rally late on through Harry Maguire.

But despite the thriller at the Estadio do Dragao, Ferguson did not catch it. The legendary boss decided to attend Rangers’ Europa League showdown with Lyon instead.

The Scottish side did not fare particularly well at Ibrox as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat. Despite that, he was still keeping tabs on the game.

Video footage showed him telling fellow attendees the score between United and Porto just after Maguire had forced home his late equaliser. Ferguson’s decision to snub his former side comes just days after he had reportedly picked out a replacement for Erik ten Hag.

Reports in Italy suggested that the 82-year-old had approved a move for former Juventus boss Max Allegri. Speaking last year about Ten Hag’s position, Ferguson was however full of praise.

Harry Maguire celebrates his goal vs Porto ( Getty Images)

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He said: “I think Ten Hag has done a fantastic job. He's grabbed it, he's brought his own players in - I think that was important - and if he gets the centre forward ready quickly, they'll be a really good side. Because that's what they have really lacked in the last few years - a centre forward.”

Fans will be keeping an eye out for Ferguson this weekend as Ten Hag faces another key game in the battle to keep his job. The Red Devils travel to the West Midlands for a clash with Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking after his side’s draw in Portugal, Ten Hag said: "It's mixed feelings. We scored two great goals and then we switched off. We don't keep possession and defending, we're switching off. We concede the first goal totally unnecessary and then you light up the fire in this stadium and it becomes very tough.

"We addressed it at half-time and then you concede a third one, so unnecessary. It's no good defending again. That's also to do with some willingness in some moments.

"But then I have to praise the guys, how they return in the game and how they fight and find a way to get an equaliser."

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