Manchester United recently faced Fenerbahce in their third Europa League group stage match—a high-stakes game that saw the return of former United manager José Mourinho, now coaching the Turkish side. Both teams arrived with varied recent performances, making this game pivotal for advancing in the group standings and edging closer to knockout-stage qualification.
Heading into the match, United found themselves under pressure, having drawn their previous games against FC Twente and Porto. This left Erik ten Hag’s side needing a victory to strengthen their position. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce, under Mourinho’s leadership, had started strongly, winning against Union SG and securing a draw with Twente. This set up the United clash as an intense challenge, with Fenerbahce proving to be tough competition.
From the beginning, United came out with intensity, and their persistence paid off early. In the 15th minute, Christian Eriksen opened the scoring following a well-orchestrated move, thanks to a pinpoint pass from Joshua Zirkzee that dissected Fenerbahce’s defense. This goal gave United a confidence boost, enabling them to dictate the tempo in the early stages.
However, Fenerbahce remained resilient. After weathering United’s attacks in the first half, they returned with greater determination in the second. Their persistence was rewarded in the 52nd minute when Allan Saint-Maximin, using his trademark speed and control, surged down the wing and delivered a dangerous cross.
Youssef En-Nesyri met the cross with a powerful header, scoring his first goal in the tournament. This equalizer shifted the game’s momentum toward Fenerbahce, and United’s defense began to look unsettled as the match became an evenly-matched contest.
United suffered a setback in the 73rd minute when Antony, who had come on as a substitute for Marcus Rashford, sustained a serious injury in the final minutes. In the 89th minute, Antony was stretchered off the field after a challenge left him visibly in pain. His injury cast a shadow over the game, especially since he has been struggling with fitness issues this season. Amad Diallo came on to replace him, but the injury had already impacted the atmosphere, leaving fans concerned.
The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, marking United’s third straight tie in their Europa League group stage. While they remain unbeaten, this result felt like a missed opportunity for United, who had taken an early lead. Ten Hag’s squad now faces the challenge of regrouping quickly if they hope to secure a spot in the knockout stages.
Following the game, reports confirmed that Antony had left the stadium on crutches, heightening worries over the severity of his injury. Alex Crook of talkSPORT shared on social media that Antony was seen needing medical assistance, causing fans to question how this setback will impact Ten Hag’s already strained lineup.
For Mourinho and Fenerbahce, the draw was a commendable outcome, particularly given their comeback from a goal down. Mourinho, who led Manchester United to Europa League glory in 2017, would likely be pleased with his squad’s resilience, matching United’s intensity and tactics throughout. This result keeps Fenerbahce in a strong position in the group as they aim to advance.
While United avoided defeat, Antony’s injury and another missed chance for three points add to the season’s challenges. United must now turn their focus to the upcoming Europa League match, knowing improvement is essential to progress smoothly into the knockout rounds.
