The darkest point is said to always be before dawn. Did Harry Maguire’s late equalizer interpret Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham this way? Because before that, Erik ten Hag led his men into an increasingly dark darkness of pitch. From 2-0 to 2-2 in seven first-half minutes, to a third period that seemed to have ended United, and finally to Bruno Fernandes’ second red card in two games. This seemed to consign Ten Hag’s tenure to oblivion.

It may still be the case: the Dutch manager likes to joke that he is no Harry Potter. Escaping here with a draw has him slated for tonight’s Harry Houdini. But how long can he escape Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s axe?

There is now just one win in ten European Cup games. In the next episode of the Ten Hag soap opera, check out United’s trip to Aston Villa on Sunday. Unlike against Spurs, United got off to a dream start thanks to Marcus Rashford. Zigzagging from the left, his package of pace and tricks took him into the Porto penalty area. The shot was powerful, but on Diogo Costa’s nearside, so he should have blocked it. Instead, the ball squeezed under the goalkeeper’s body and in.

It was party time for the 2,500 fans who came along. There was a queasy feeling for the rest of the 50,000-strong crowd, which marred the party atmosphere at the Estádio do Dragão. Swirling smoke, lights, epic sounding songs and glittering silver rectangles held aloft were the aesthetic of the show before the event began. Now United were on the rise and Porto were trying to regroup.

Alan Varela swung a corner from the right and Rashford was able to control the ball with his chest and hoof it away. Back in United’s penalty area, the ball fell and Matthijs de Ligt helped clear it. Another strong defense came from Lisandro Martínez: Samu got the ball in front of André Onana’s goal, turned it 180 degrees and let it fly, but the center back was there to block.

These were all feel-good moments from United, and the sensation increased. Ten Hag had fielded a leggy midfield with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, while Kobbie Mainoo was unavailable and Manuel Ugarte was on the bench. But Eriksen’s form at the start of the season was brilliant and he made a powerful breakthrough through the center circle and a no-look pass that found Rashford. He also sang and Rasmus Højlund’s wonderfully effective pass was the final proof of that.

The Danish striker fired a shot for the first time this season and Costa conceded again at the near post. Højlund ran to the United bench to celebrate with David Binningsley, a physiotherapist who has been crucial to his recovery from a thigh problem.

Could this rise continue? No, came the quick answer. United went back into disintegration mode and allowed Samu to rise and head at Onana: the goalkeeper ripped the ball out, but only into Pepê’s path, and the latter stooped to finish. The volume in the arena rose again and Porto soon equalized. Again, it was too easy. Near his penalty area, an unfortunate De Ligt missed the ball and the ball flew upwards. His attempt to clear the header failed and the ball was passed to João Mário on the right. A chip was received by Samu, who went home; De Ligt, the next defender and again ineffective.

De Ligt had a nightmare. Another deflected free kick gave Porto possession and United narrowly survived the advance it made possible. Their best hope was an attack. Højlund raged down the left and narrowly missed the goal with a cross pass for Amad Diallo. Then he and Casemiro failed to finish from close range as the ball fell between them. Rashford closed the half with a jet-heeled run but was undeterred and the attack was over.

A crucial 45th minute for Ten Hag’s job prospects began with Rashford being substituted for Alejandro Garnacho, presumably due to a fitness issue as the number 10 had been strong. Yet United’s weakness remained as Francisco Moura raced down the left channel from deep like Micky van de Ven to score Spurs’ first goal on Sunday. Moura scored and Onana saved.

Things got even worse. This time the raid was on the right flank of Porto by Pepê, whom Martínez was unable to catch and whose flank was shot down by Samu; De Ligt was once again the scapegoat and was unable to reach the striker. United were shocked.

Ugarte was certainly not fit to take part despite coming on as a substitute, otherwise Ten Hag would have called for him to shore up the gaping midfield. Garnacho, on his left, was United’s best hope for an equaliser: an absurd statement after they had taken a 2-0 lead.

Fernandes received a second yellow card for a high boot. Then came Maguire’s intervention. United: very surreal under Ten Hag. An extremely likeable man, he could soon be history.