The Europa League is back!
United travel to Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbache for matchday 3 in the newly structured Europa League table. We currently sit 21st in the table on 2 points; perilously close to the drop zone, which starts at 25th.
Fenerbache have started better and sit on 4 points, which places them 14th in the table. There’s no real recent history between the teams, the last time we played them was 2016; a 2-1 away defeat.
Our last time out in the Europa League was a crazy 3-3 draw against Porto; a match in which we had periods of both brilliance and hopelessness – and everything in between.
The last match we played was a deserved 2-1 win against Brentford in the league, in which our strike force, finally, started to come to life. Another showing like that and we should have enough to get past the Turks.
Manchester United Team News
The headline is that that Bruno Fernandes is unavailable for this match through suspension, after receiving a red card against Porto.
Kobbie Mainoo and Maguire are still out, and Jonny Evans is a doubt too. Casemiro picked up a knock late on against Brentford but is looking likely to be available. Recent absentees Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte should be available after recovering from minor illness and injury respectively.
United remain without Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia or Leny Yoro, although all four are said to be progressing well and nearing fitness.
Manchester United Possible Lineup
Onana;
Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot;
Eriksen, Ugarte, Casemiro;
Amad, Hojlund, Rashford.
Fenerbache Preview
The added spice to this game is that Fenerbache are managed by none other that ex-United boss Jose Mourinho.
Before all that though, the more senior supporters amongst us may remember him being a huge thorn in United’s side, running down the touchline as his Porto side eliminated us from the Champions League 20 years ago on their way to winning the competition.
He has also won major silverware with Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and the Europa Conference League with Roma. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but make no mistake about it, Mourinho knows how to win.
It’s not all plain sailing for the Portugese though; Fenerbache sit 4th in the Turkish league, 7 points adrift of the top spot. Their Europa League campaign is looking more promising though, with a win over Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise and a draw at Twente – which was by the same 1-1 scoreline United managed.
The Turks have some good players too – Allan Saint-Maximin, Dusan Tadic, Edin Dzeko….and could Fred and Amrabat come back to haunt us?
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: LWDLDW
Manchester United form (all competitions): DDLDDW
Fenerbache form (all competitions): WLWWDD
Prediction
Are United finally turning a corner? The front 3 looked great on Saturday and looked good value for the win, and we were unlucky to concede with Mathis De Ligt of the pitch.
Let’s choose to believe that is the case – and that United are capable of comfortably dispatching a team that they are way better than, on paper.
Predicted score: Fenerbache 1-3 United
