Jose Mourinho is ready to rekindle a storied rivalry when his Fenerbahçe squad hosts Manchester United on the Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium this Thursday night time in a extremely anticipated Europa League conflict.
This matchup marks the primary encounter since November 2016, when Mourinho, then on the helm of United, suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to the Turkish facet within the group stage of the identical competitors.
The Red Devils come into this match following a much-needed 2-1 victory in opposition to Brentford within the Premier League, ending a five-match winless streak.
After a tumultuous week crammed with hypothesis about his future, supervisor Erik ten Hag dismissed media narratives as “fairytales.”
Despite trailing at halftime resulting from an injury-time header from Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock, United rallied after the break. Alejandro Garnacho equalized simply 89 seconds into the second half, and Rasmus Hojlund netted his first Premier League purpose to safe the factors.
Currently sitting twelfth within the Premier League, United are six factors adrift of the highest 4, and Ten Hag acknowledges the persistent strain that comes with managing such a prestigious membership.
“The pressure is always there,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity for his group to construct on their second-half efficiency in opposition to Brentford.
Before heading to West Ham United for his or her subsequent league outing, United goals to safe their first Europa League win of the season, having drawn their opening two matches in opposition to FC Twente and Porto, together with an exciting 3-3 draw in opposition to Porto three weeks in the past.
Recent historical past has not favored United in European competitions, as they’ve managed only one win of their final ten matches (D4 L5) and are at present on a five-match winless streak – their longest because the early Eighties.
On the opposite hand, Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe are in stable kind, with a file of eight wins, 4 attracts, and solely two losses throughout all competitions since he took cost in June.
The Yellow Canaries are at present unbeaten of their final 4 matches, however they have been pissed off of their final Turkish Süper Lig outing in opposition to Samsunspor, conceding an equalizer within the dying minutes to attract 2-2.
This end result noticed them fall additional behind league leaders Galatasaray, now trailing by eight factors, albeit with a sport in hand.
Fenerbahçe have additionally made a commendable begin to their Europa League marketing campaign, accumulating 4 factors from their first two video games after a 2-1 victory over Union SG and a 1-1 draw in opposition to FC Twente. The Yellow Canaries boast a seven-match unbeaten dwelling run within the Europa League (W4 D3) and have emerged victorious of their final two dwelling conferences with United.
Mourinho, nevertheless, faces challenges forward of Thursday’s conflict.
Fenerbahçe’s left-back Jayden Oosterwolde suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament within the latest match in opposition to Samsunspor, becoming a member of a number of teammates on the sidelines, together with Cengiz Ünder (groin) and Bright Osayi-Samuel (foot).
Mourinho might must adapt his lineup, probably deploying both Mert Müldür or former United midfielder Fred at left-back, with Alexander Djiku probably shifting to right-back.
If Fred doesn’t fill in defensively, he would possibly take a deeper midfield position alongside one other ex-United participant, Sofyan Amrabat.
On the United facet, they’re additionally grappling with damage points, as Leny Yoro (foot) has returned to coaching however stays unavailable alongside Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire (muscle), Luke Shaw (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Mason Mount (knock), and Toby Collyer (unspecified).
Casemiro’s health will likely be evaluated after he exited the Brentford match with a calf concern. If match, he might pair with Manuel Ugarte in midfield, permitting Christian Eriksen to imagine the quantity 10 position, filling in for the suspended Bruno Fernandes.
Noussair Mazraoui can also be in rivalry to return, probably shifting Diogo Dalot to left-back, whereas Joshua Zirkzee competes with Hojlund for the central striker spot.
Source: www.dailysabah.com