The Portrait Of The Mees Hilgers Battle Contains Manchester United

Mees Hilgers (right) played solidly to stem Manchester United (Instagram/@433nl).

JAKARTA - Mees Hilgers performed solidly for FC Twenty in the first match of the 2024/2025 Europa League against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday, September 26, 2024, early morning WIB.

The Indonesian naturalized player is one of four Twente defenders who played full time in that match.

The solidity of the Twente defense is one of the factors that can earn one point at Old Trafford. As is known, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Oosting actually came to Manchester with a capable provision. He did plan to overthrow the Red Devils before the match started.

"I always believe in chances. If we dare to play, we can also create opportunities. Especially in the transition, we can hurt Manchester United."

"It's easier to say than to do, but that will is there," Oosting said.

That desire is what Oosting appreciates. The players played the discipline according to the scheme they had prepared.

In addition, Twenty had valuable experience when he failed in the 2024/2025 Champions League Qualification against Red Bull Salzburg.

The experience from there made Twente stronger and more confident to appear at Manchester United's home.

"We played a game against Red Bull (Salzburg) which could be a lesson."

"Everything went at the highest tempo, both when controlling the ball and defending."

"You have to be at the top of everything and we need everyone to be there. I think we've also made progress on that."

"We respect Manchester United, but we also have full confidence and the will to get maximum results from the game," Oosting said.

No wonder the mission made all Twente players play with high determination, including Mees Hilgers.

The Indonesian-Dutch defender was even caught on camera by a photo winning a duel with players such as Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, to a new Manchester United striker, Joshua Zirkzee, who looked frustrated.

Hilgers is indeed Oosting's mainstay player in the back line of Twenty. He was only absent in the opening match of the 2024/2025 Eredivisie against NEC Nijmegen, who is Calvin Verdok's club.

After that, Hilgers was always installed with Oosting from the early minutes and appeared full of a total of eight matches he had.

This means that the 23-year-old has packed 720 minutes in all competitions, five in the Eredivisie, two in the Champions League Qualifiers, and one in the Europa League.

The contribution to Twente is also important. Hilgers has so far collected one goal that he scored when playing the 3-3 series against RB Salzburg in the second leg of the Champions League Qualification Third Round.

Unfortunately, his contribution at that time failed to make Twente to the Champions League this season because they lost in the first leg.

In addition, Hilgers also contributed one assist when Twente beat Almere City, Thom Haye club, with a score of 5-0. He provided a key pass for Anass Salah-Eddine's last goal.