Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists his side have enough quality to overcome Fenerbahce in the Europa League, despite missing several key players.
United will be without captain Bruno Fernandes for the trip to Turkey following his red card in the 3-3 draw with FC Porto, and in-form defender Jonny Evans also misses out.
Midfielder Mason Mount also looks set to sit out as he continues his recovery from injury, while the likes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Kobbie Mainoo remain on the sidelines.
Speaking to the media in Istanbul on Wednesday, Ten Hag said: “The players who are available have to do the job and they are capable of doing the job.
“I think we have enough players in the team that are so experienced. Our team is so experienced.
“We’ve faced such situations more often. I think we’re looking forward, I think it will be a great ambience that’s fuel for the team and it’s a real challenge, it’s a motivation, it’s really good for us.”
Istanbul is calling 📞🇹🇷#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/jCtc3iAiPd
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 22, 2024
In the home dugout on Thursday will be a familiar face to United fans, with Fenerbahce currently managed by former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho.
And the 61-year-old was in a typically mischievous mood ahead of the game, suggesting he could be a beneficiary in the unlikely event of Manchester City being stripped of the title they won in 2018 if they are found guilty of breaching financial fair play regulations.
He said: “We won the Europa League [at United] and finished second in the Premier League. I think we still have a chance to win that league, maybe they punish Manchester City with points, we win that league. They have to pay me the bonus and give me the medal.”
Mourinho, who spent two-and-a-half years in charge of United between 2016 and 2018, winning the Europa League during that time, spoke respectfully about his former club and Ten Hag.
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Author : George Nash
Publish date : 2024-10-23 19:48:22
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