Fenerbahce 1-1 Man United: Jose Mourinho takes centre stage with red card – as Erik ten Hag’s side remain winless in Europa League after En-Nesyri cancels out Christian Eriksen opener
- Youssef En-Nesyri headed the home team level after Eriksen’s excellent goal in the first half
- Man United have now managed just one win in their last eleven European matches
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They always said there were two sides to Jose Mourinho at Manchester United. After the charming Jose took center stage for this match, it was the chippy Jose who made headlines again when he ended up in the stands here at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
What did he say to fourth official Jeremy Stinat after Fenerbahce were rightly denied a penalty due to Manuel Ugarte’s contact with Bright Osayi-Samuel in the second half? Or was it simply because he strayed outside his technical area?
We may never know, but it was enough for French referee Clement Turpin to show him a straight red card.
So he left, pensive, mumbling on the chairs, furiously writing down instructions for his assistants to follow. No more Mr. Nice Guy.
While Mourinho continued his one-man show, a Europa League match was in progress which ended in another draw for Manchester United, who had previously failed to beat FC Twente and Porto despite taking the lead.
Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands as his Fenerbahce side drew 1-1 against Manchester United
Youssef En-Nesyri earned Fenerbahce a point with a header in the second half of the Europa League
Man United remain winless in the Europa League after their third consecutive draw
Christian Eriksen continued his renaissance this season by putting United ahead, but Youssef En-Nesyri came back to haunt Ten Hag’s side with another goal against them.
Mourinho had blundered and bluffed on the eve of this match, leaving United favorites to win the competition, but this is not the same team he led to Europa League glory in 2017.
They came into this match ranked 25th in the 36-team table and have now won just once in their last eleven European matches – even before that it took a last-minute penalty save from Andre Onana to beat FC Copenhagen.
However, the lead in the second half lasted less than five minutes, as they again proved unable to maintain the lead.
Allan Saint-Maximin switched to his stronger right foot and the former Newcastle winger curled an outswinger into the path of En-Nesyri who had drifted between Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez. This time Onana had no chance as he was beaten by a downward header from close range.
Ten Hag sent Hojlund in search of a Zirkzee, which again turned out to be a pretty toothless target. His final act was to send a simple pass to Rashford out of play.
Casemiro also came on for Lindelof and his brilliant pass released Diogo Dalot moments later, but Rashford made a mistake in front of goal.
Then it became the Jose Mourinho show again and everything else was largely forgotten.
Christian Eriksen had given Erik ten Hag’s team the lead in the first half at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium
Eriksen produced a fine finish to put Man United ahead after being set up by Joshua Zirkzee
En-Nesyri headed the home team level after the break via a curled cross from Allan Saint-Maximin
Mourinho was sent to the stands and later seen passing messages to his coaching staff
Ten Hag’s side led in all three Europa League matches before being dropped for a draw