Manchester United are travelling to Turkey today ahead of their match against Fenerbahçe on Thursday evening. The two big European clubs would of course rather be facing each other in the Champions League, but this time around they’re limited to Europa League action.
Perhaps the biggest talking point of the match is Jose Mourinho coming up against Manchester United, and facing another Red Devils manager in trouble.
The Portuguese coach will know a lot of what Erik ten Hag is going through right now, and is also starting to face his own critics at Fenerbahçe.
The Super Lig club spent relatively big in the summer window and there was no doubt that the objective was a serious fight for the Turkish title.
Fenerbahçe are currently in fourth, and whilst they have a game in hand on leaders Galatasaray they’re already eight points behind. A 2-2 draw at the weekend against Samsunspor, despite taking the lead twice, didn’t go down very well and saw some criticism sent towards the club and manager.
Mourinho, as ever, has snapped back.
In the press conference ahead of the Europa league match, he was asked how he’ll be approaching Manchester United.
Turkey’s Sports Digitale quote him as saying: “I will read the newspapers, watch the television and do what the experts say.”
On criticism, FotoMac quote Mourinho as responding: “At the beginning of last season, I was great in terms of goals and assists. I am continuing to do this with the team right now. I am continuing in the same way, but I am unlucky in terms of goals. As long as the people around me are happy with my performance, I don’t care what people outside say.”
