Fenerbahce and Manchester United will both aim to extend their unbeaten runs in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League when they meet at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on Thursday. This Matchday 3 clash is highly anticipated, as it marks a reunion between Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho and his former club, Manchester United.
Fenerbahce vs Manchester United Team News & Tactics
Fenerbahce: Jose Mourinho has several injuries to deal with. Dutch defender Jayden Oosterwolde has ruptured his ACL, joining Cengiz Under, Ismail Yuksek, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Irfan Can Egribayat on the sidelines. Additionally, Filip Kostic, Oguz Aydin, Bartug Elmaz, and Levent Mercan are not in the Europa League squad.
Fenerbahce will likely stick to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Dominik Livakovic will guard the goal, with a backline featuring Alexander Djiku, Caglar Soyuncu, Rodrigo Becao, and Mert Muldur. Former Manchester United players Sofyan Amrabat and Fred will hold the midfield, while Dusan Tadic and Allan Saint-Maximin provide width. Sebastian Szymanski will play as the attacking midfielder, and Youssef En-Nesyri is expected to lead the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Livakovic; Djiku, Soyuncu, Becao, Muldur; Amrabat, Fred; Tadic, Szymanski, Saint-Maximin; En-Nesyri.
Manchester United: Erik ten Hag’s team also has injury concerns, with Bruno Fernandes suspended after his red card against FC Porto. Key players like Matthijs de Ligt and Casemiro have returned to fitness, but Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, and Toby Collyer remain unavailable.
United are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Andre Onana will start in goal, with a defense of Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Diogo Dalot. Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte will form the midfield double pivot, with Christian Eriksen stepping in as the creative force in Fernandes’ absence. Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo will support Joshua Zirkzee in attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Casemiro; Diallo, Eriksen, Rashford; Zirkzee.
Key Stats:
- Fenerbahce have alternated between wins and losses in their six previous meetings with Manchester United. Their most recent encounter, in 2016, saw them win 2-1 in Istanbul.
- Fenerbahce are unbeaten in their last seven home games in the UEFA Europa League, winning four of their last five.
- Manchester United have won just one of their last 10 matches in major European competitions, struggling to maintain form in continental outings.
- Jose Mourinho has only won two of his last 17 matches against clubs he has previously managed, although one of those was a 6-1 win over Manchester United with Tottenham Hotspur in 2020.
Player to Watch: Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte will be key to Manchester United’s hopes of controlling the midfield. After a rocky start to his United career, Ugarte needs to assert himself in this crucial match. Facing a dynamic Fenerbahce midfield, his performance will be vital in ensuring United don’t struggle to keep up with Mourinho’s side.
Prediction
Fenerbahce 2-2 Manchester United
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