Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United suffered another Europa League setback on Thursday, as the Red Devils failed to protect an early lead in Istanbul and drew 1-1 with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
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That’s three draws in three European games for Manchester United (3 points – 21st place, out of 36) to begin the new league phase, which will ultimately give giants such as themselves whatever leeway they need to reach the knockout rounds. That will be of little solace to Ten Hag tonight, as United have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions and currently sit 12th in the Premier League with just 11 points from eight games.
Though they may have started Thursday’s game a bit apprehensively with just two shots in the first half, Man United went ahead after Christian Eriksen fired the first one one into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area in the 15th minute. Eriksen now has two goals and two assists in the Europa League — again, very little consolation for a side winless in three.
It was still 1-0 at halftime, but not much longer than that. Fenerbahce were level less than four minutes into the second half as Allan Saint-Maximin delivered a dangerous early cross into the box and Youssef En-Nesyri headed home from close range after getting lost in the shuffle between Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof.
Mourinho had his moment in the spotlight in the 57th minute, when he was shown a red card for comments he presumably made after Fenerbahce were not awarded a penalty moments earlier.
Player ratings – Fenerbahce vs Manchester United
Fenerbahce vs Manchester United updates – by Andy Edwards
Fenerbahce vs Manchester United final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Christian Eriksen (15′), Youssef En-Nesyri (49′)
RED CARD! Jose Mourinho sent off against his former club, again, probably
GOAL! Fenerbahce 1-1 Man United: Youssef En Nesyri equalizes shortly after halftime (49′)
DOUBLE SAVE! Andre Onana makes a pair of stunning saves from point-blank range (37′)
GOAL! Fenerbahce 0-1 Man United: Christian Eriksen hammers home from the edge of the box (15′)
Manchester United starting lineup
Onana – Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Lindelof – Ugarte, Eriksen, Mazraoui – Rashford, Garnacho, Zirkzee
Fenerbahce starting lineup
Livakovic – Muldur, Djiku, Soyuncu, Osayi-Samuel – Fred, Amrabat, Szymanski – Tadic, Saint-Maximin, En-Nesyri
How to watch Fenerbahce vs Manchester United live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Thursday (October 24)
Venue: Sukru Saracoglu Stadium — Istanbul
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Fenerbahce focus, team news
The trio of Tadic, Saint-Maximin and Kostic behind Dzeko is a real threat, with plenty of experience, pace and trickery to cause United problems on the counters. Fenerbahce are okay defensively but facing United’s in-form attackers will be their biggest test under Mourinho. The legendary coach relishes outings like this and with a lively 50,000 fans behind them, Fenerbahce will fancy their chances of causing an upset. Duo Cengiz Under and Jayden Oosterwolde are out injured.
Manchester United focus, team news
United’s injury issues are starting to subside but Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire Leny Yoro and Casemiro are still out. Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are almost back. It will be intriguing to see who starts in attack for United as Erik ten Hag has finally got his best lineup fit, but will he risk another injury to Hojlund so soon after the Danish forward returned to fitness? Amad Diallo and Antony could start, with Joshua Zirkzee perhaps starting to rest Hojlund. Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte is still getting up to speed but is expected to come in for the injured Casemiro in midfield.
Fenerbahce vs Manchester United prediction
This feels like the kind of game made for Mourinho. He will set his team up to be aggressive on the counter and Fenerbahce need a big win to truly get the Mourinho era going. United still look fragile and if ETH makes the expected changes, there could be trouble. Fenerbahce 2-1 Manchester United.
