Fenerbahce vs Manchester United predictions: Mourinho's men to test United mettle

Dan Fitch
Spotlight
Jose Mourinho will not doubt be keen to trouble one of his former employers.
Jose Mourinho will not doubt be keen to trouble one of his former employers.

- Fenerbahce have taken four points from two games in Europa League
- Manchester United have drawn their opening two matches
- Recommended bet: Over 9.5 total shots on target

Jose Mourinho reached the final of the Europa League with Roma in the 2022-23 season and his Fenerbahce team are currently 13th in the standings after a 2-1 home victory against Union Saint-Gilloise and a 1-1 draw at Twente.

Manchester United, meanwhile, were held 1-1 by Twente, before rescuing a 3-3 draw at Porto in a thrilling match, with head coach Erik ten Hag still under immense pressure at Old Trafford.

Team news

Mourinho will be sweating on the availability of Caglar Soyuncu and Irfan Egribayat, who both face late fitness tests.

Injured quintet Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo will all be absent for the visitors, while Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount are potential doubts.

Bruno Fernandes is suspended after picking up a red card in the match against Porto.

Erik ten Hag remains under pressure as Manchester United continue to struggle to make improvements.
Erik ten Hag remains under pressure as Manchester United continue to struggle to make improvements.

The stats

Thirty-five-year-old Serbian forward Dusan Tadic, has scored in each of Fenerbahce’s last three matches.

Manchester United’s 3-3 draw with Porto saw 43 shots in total, with 15 being on target and there have been at least 12 shots on target, in three of their last four games.

Only Galatasaray have beaten Fenerbahce in six home games this season, which includes a 1-1 draw with Lille in a Champions League qualifier.

The Red Devils’ 2-1 home game against Brentford on Saturday, ended a five-match run without a victory.

Prediction

Mourinho has not yet made the impact that he would have hoped at Fenerbahce, but he could improve his reputation at his new club with the right result against his old one.

Though they have done well in the Europa League, Fener are already eight points behind the leaders Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig, albeit with a game in hand.

Mourinho’s defence have only kept one clean sheet from their last five games, but further forward Fener have goals in them, with veterans Dusan Tadic and Edin Dzeko complimented by Allan Saint-Maximin’s pace.

At United, Ten Hag relieved the pressure on him with that comeback victory against Brentford, but to put that result into context, it was only their third Premier League win from eight games.

The Red Devils have to go for a victory in this away match and that should give the hosts the opportunity to cause some problems on the break.

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Tags

FenerbahceManchester UnitedEuropa League