Porto's Vitor Bruno offers Erik ten Hag a drink after the game: “Everyone” is under scrutiny

Porto FC head coach Vitor Bruno invited Erik ten Hag for a glass of wine after Thursday's Europa League match as he expressed his understanding to another head coach who is under scrutiny.

Ten Hag's position as United manager came under further pressure following Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. It was his team's second consecutive Premier League defeat of this kind at Old Trafford, following the defeat against Liverpool in September.

Bruno, meanwhile, was the subject of messages written in black ink on the walls near the Dragao Stadium on Tuesday, calling for his sacking and the return of former coach Sergio Conceicao. Newly elected Porto president Andre Villas-Boas promoted Bruno from assistant to head coach this summer following the departure of long-serving Conceicao.

“That’s me too (under scrutiny),” Bruno interjected. “Everyone is.”

When asked if he felt sorry for the United coach, Bruno said: “I don't know him, I haven't met him yet, but I would like to meet him.” In Portugal there is a coach called Carlos Carvalhal, now he is in Braga. He worked in the Premier League and the Championship (with Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City). He said at the end of the game they went together and had a glass of wine.

“If Ten Hag wants tomorrow, the locker room is open to him. Much respect. It is our life. Mine too.

“I don’t know if you know all the news in Portugal, but as soon as you lose a game you’re almost dead.”

Porto hosts United at the Dragao Stadium on Thursday in the second round of the Europa League 'league phase'. Both teams are looking for their first win in the competition after United drew 1-1 with FC Twente at Old Trafford last week, while Porto lost 3-2 to 10-man Bodo/Glimt.

Despite winning just two of his last seven in all competitions, Bruno insists Manchester United are always a “threat”.

Asked if this was the best time to play United, Bruno said: “Exactly the opposite. We always see them as a threat and not a good reason to take them on. We just have to be ourselves and look at them with respect, with a lot of respect, with a lot of individuals, as a team that also performs… I know what you mean when you talk about their last game, but we have to keep the old ones (Results) and performances), not (just) this.”

A win for both teams in the revamped Europa League competition could prove crucial to qualifying for the knockout rounds.

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(Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images)