In their third Europa League group-stage game, Manchester United faced Fenerbahce, marking the return of former United manager José Mourinho, now leading the Turkish club. Both teams had mixed results leading up to the match, making it a critical clash to determine their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
Manchester United, under manager Erik ten Hag, had been under pressure after back-to-back draws in their previous Europa League matches against FC Twente and Porto. They needed a victory to strengthen their group standing.
In contrast, Fenerbahce, led by Mourinho, had shown strong form, winning against Union SG and drawing with Twente. This set the stage for a high-stakes encounter, as Fenerbahce was gaining momentum under Mourinho’s guidance.
The game began with Manchester United demonstrating strong intent. Their attacking efforts were rewarded in the 15th minute when Christian Eriksen scored, assisted by Joshua Zirkzee, whose precise pass broke Fenerbahce’s defense.
This early goal provided United with confidence and a foothold in the game. However, Fenerbahce responded tenaciously. After withstanding United’s pressure in the first half, they launched a comeback in the second.
In the 52nd minute, Allan Saint-Maximin’s dynamic play set up Youssef En-Nesyri, who equalized with a powerful header, making it 1-1 and shifting momentum towards Fenerbahce.
As the game wore on, United suffered a setback when Antony, who replaced Marcus Rashford in the 73rd minute, sustained a significant leg injury.
Stretchered off in the 89th minute, Antony’s departure brought concern to United fans, as he had struggled with injuries previously. This incident dampened spirits in the stadium, and despite their attempts, United couldn’t find a late winner, leading to their third straight draw in the group stage.
After the match, reports surfaced that Antony had left on crutches, raising worries over the injury’s seriousness and potential impact on United’s thin squad. For Mourinho and Fenerbahce, the hard-fought draw was a positive result, reflecting the team’s resilience and positioning them well in the group standings.
For United, however, the match felt like a missed opportunity, as their failure to secure a win added to their challenges this season. Ten Hag’s squad now faces added urgency to recover quickly and improve if they are to reach the knockout rounds without further setbacks.
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