Erik ten Hag heaps praise on ‘winner’ Jose Mourinho as Man United get set to face their former manager in Europa League action this week

Erik ten Hag had nothing but praise for Jose Mourinho as the current and former managers of Manchester United prepare to face off in a major European match on Thursday evening.

The stakes could not be higher for the under-pressure Ten Hag, who take United into a third Europa League match, still without a win, after disappointing draws against FC Twente and Porto.

It is a position Mourinho knows all too well and the legendary Portuguese boss will be desperate to inflict further misery on his former club with new side Fenerbahce.

Mourinho made a surprise move to become coach in Turkey over the summer after being sacked by Roma at the start of this year following a string of poor results.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag is currently entering his third season at Old Trafford and is under renewed scrutiny after overseeing the club’s worst ever start to a Premier League season.

Erik ten Hag (right) praised former Man United boss Jose Mourinho (left) ahead of Thursday’s Europa League match

Man United are yet to win a Europa League match this season ahead of Thursday’s away match

The United boss guaranteed himself some more time at the helm as his underperforming side beat Brentford on Saturday and a European away win in midweek would only boost his bid to retain the lead.

However, Ten Hag is not interested in building a rivalry with Mourinho ahead of the two teams’ meeting in Istanbul and named the ex-head coach of Chelsea, Real Madrid and United as a ‘winner’.

‘It’s a big game for both of us. I really enjoy facing him [Mourinho] and play against him,” Ten Hag told the Football Writers’ Association.

‘He always has good teams; he is a winner and has won so many trophies. He is an example for many managers, so I will really enjoy playing against him,” he added.

Mourinho previously guided United to victory in the Europa League in 2017 as the Red Devils secured a 2-0 victory over Ajax

Ten Hag hopes that his United team will secure the first European victory of the season against Mourinho’s team

Mourinho previously guided United to victory in the Europa League in 2017 when the Red Devils beat Ajax, Ten Hag’s former club, 2-0 in the final.

The 61-year-old later won the UEFA Conference League with Roma and previously won the Champions League twice during incredible spells in his early career with Porto and Inter Milan.

Mourinho last switched to his former side at Tottenham three years ago, losing 3-1 in what turned out to be one of his last games in charge before leaving the Premier League.

He has had a mixed start to life in Turkey so far, with Fenerbahce finishing fourth in the Super Lig and unbeaten in the Europa League so far.