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Manchester United journey to Istanbul to tackle Fenerbahce in an important Europa League encounter for each side.
A win would mark an honest begin to three of United’s harder fixtures the place a loss would make for a disastrous two factors from 9 and heap the stress on the Pink Devils to qualify for the final 32, by no means thoughts end within the prime eight which ensures automated development to the final 16 stage.
United have performed Fenerbahce six instances of their historical past, successful three and dropping the opposite three.
4 of the matches have taken place within the Champions League with Wayne Rooney’s iconic debut hat trick in September 2004 in a 6-2 romp holding a particular place in United followers’ hearts. The final assembly was a 2-1 victory for the Turks in October 2016 within the Europa League underneath the now supervisor of the Turkish membership, Jose Mourinho.
Listed here are some fascinating plotlines to digest in anticipation of the large conflict.
The Mourinho matchup
As anticipated, the construct as much as this fixture has been broadly targeted on Jose Mourinho, having managed the Pink Devils from 2016 till 2018.
Present United supervisor Erik ten Hag has already spoken on his delight to be going through Mourinho and lavished praise on his trophy-winning previous.
It has been reported {that a} loss in Turkyie may see Ten Hag fall underneath much more stress and there’s no doubt Mourinho would like to be the one to use it.
The “particular one” spoke glowingly of his former group, claiming he nonetheless “loved the membership and the followers” however, in basic Mourinho type, made positive to suggest that he didn’t obtain the kind of support at Outdated Trafford that Ten Hag has.
What’s extra, Mourinho is under pressure himself at Fenerbahce after they discover themselves languishing in 4th place within the league, eight factors behind Galatasaray, so the Portuguese may also be determined for a win for himself as a lot as he will likely be considering of revenge.
Fred and Sofyan Amrabat face former aspect
Mourinho shouldn’t be the one acquainted face between the 2 sides.
Fred, who was signed by Mourinho in 2018, performed 213 instances for the Pink Devils and at one level was an everyday starter underneath Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Brazilian moved to the Turkish capital final summer season, making a formidable begin to life and has continued to shine, sensationally scoring a hat trick earlier this season.
While Fred had loads of critics throughout his time at United, there is no such thing as a doubt that his excessive power urgent introduced a special dynamic to the midfield that has to date not been changed.
Amrabat was on mortgage final season at Outdated Trafford however did not safe a everlasting transfer because the United choice makers determined to press forward with a switch for Manuel Ugarte.
The Moroccan hardly pulled up many timber at United however he did impress within the FA Cup last victory in opposition to Manchester Metropolis final Could.
United keeper Altay Bayindir may also be going through his former aspect however he will likely be unlikely to characteristic as Andre Onana could be very a lot Ten Hag’s European keeper, with the Turk extra prone to get one other likelihood in opposition to Leicester within the Carabao Cup subsequent week.
United’s horrible report in Turkyie
Turkyie is legendary for creating hostile environments that not many groups take pleasure in visiting.
While United will not be alone in having a disappointing record in opposition to Turkish groups of their homeland, it’s regarding nonetheless.
Since 1993, the Pink Devils have travelled to the nation 9 instances and have solely gained three matches, away to tonight’s opponents in 1996, in opposition to Besiktas in 2009 and the final victory got here in 2010 in a 3-0 win over Bursaspor.
They’ve additionally collected two attracts and 4 defeats on this time.
In truth, they’ve did not win of their final 4 visits to Turkyie dropping 1-0 to Galatasaray in 2012, 2-1 to Fenerbahce in 2016 and 2-1 to Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor in 2020.
In fact no one may overlook the chaotic and extremely damaging 3-3 draw away to Galatasaray final 12 months the place Ten Hag’s aspect twice surrendered a two purpose benefit. The Dutchman’s unsure future at current means he can not afford a repeat tonight.
Subsequently United will likely be looking for their first win within the nation for 14 years as they purpose to get a significant three factors within the fledgling league stage of a contest they’re determined to win.
Featured picture Ahmad Mora through Getty Photographs
