Man Utd pegged back again in Fenerbahce draw as Mourinho sent off

Jose Mourinho was shown a red card as his Fenerbahce side came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in a high-octane UEFA Europa League clash in Istanbul.

The former Red Devils boss was sent to the stands after reacting angrily to seeing his team denied what he felt should have been a second-half penalty for a trip on Bright Osayi-Samuel.

United had weathered some early pressure to silence a typically hostile crowd on 15 minutes when Christian Eriksen pinged a brilliant first-time strike into the top corner from just inside the area.

Marcus Rashford went close to adding a second with a lovely run and shot before Andre Onana produced an outstanding double save to keep out two close-range headers from Youssef En-Nesyri.

However, the former Sevilla striker – who scored twice when the Spanish side knocked United out of this competition in 2023 – levelled within four minutes of the restart when he headed home an inviting left-wing cross.

United controlled much of the second period but could not find the winner as they once again let a lead slip to make it three successive draws in this competition.

Next up, The Red Devils visit West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Talking Point – A solid point but losing a lead continues to be an Achilles heel

Erik ten Hag’s team selection raised a few eyebrows ahead of kick off – not least in the TNT Sports studio where former Red Devils stars Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes were a bit perplexed to see full back Noussair Mazraoui operating in a No. 10 role.

However, the new-look United were energetic and lively, countering dangerously and throwing their bodies on the line when Fenerbahce did turn the screw in an impressive first-half showing. But a 1-0 interval lead is never comfortable for a Red Devils side that aren’t known for keeping teams out, and it was perhaps unsurprising that an early lapse following the restart saw them fail to win after scoring first for the sixth time in their last eight European matches.

A draw was not a disaster by any means here, but the familiar pattern will be a frustration for United supporters, who will still have high hopes of going deep in this competition despite what feels like a long wait for a win – and the concerning current position of 21st in the UEFA Europa League standings .

Player of the match

Manuel Ugarte (Man United). The combative Uruguayan is still finding his feet following his move from PSG, but this was arguably his best display so far. The 23-year-old had a role in winning the ball and starting the move for Eriksen’s opener and made several important interceptions and tackles, including a goal-saving block in the first half.

Player ratings

FENERBAHCE: Livakovic 7, Muldur 7, Djiku 7, Soyuncu 7, Samuel 7, Amrabat 7, Fred 7, Szymanski 7, Tadic 7, En-Nesyri 8, Saint-Maximin 7. Subs: Becao 7, Dzeko 6, Kahveci 6, Ismail 6, Hakan n/a.

MAN UTD: Onana 8, Lindelof 7, De Ligt 7, Martinez 7, Mazraoui 7, Eriksen 8, Ugarte 8*, Dalot 7, Garnacho 7, Rashford 7, Zirkzee 7. Subs: Hojlund 7, Casemiro 7, Antony 6, Amad n/a.

Match Highlights

15’ – GOAL! – Fenerbahce 0-1 Man Utd: (Eriksen). It’s a beauty! Eriksen arrives on cue to rifle Zirkzee’s lay-off into the corner after a lovely move down the left.

37’ – Fenerbahce chance! How has that stayed out? Onana reacts brilliantly keep out an initial header from eight yards by En-Nesyri, but then gets to his feet to be in the right place to tip away a follow-up attempt from the same player at point-blank range.

49’ – GOAL! – Fenerbahce 1-1 Man Utd: (En-Nesyri). The home team pull level as En-Nesyri finally finds a way past Onana with a firm header from Allan Saint-Maximin’s delicious left-wing cross.

60’ – Fenerbahce red card! Mourinho is sent to the stand for his reaction to the referee dismissing Fenerbahce’s penalty claim!

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