Preview: Fenerbahce vs Manchester United

Fenerbahce vs Manchester United
Europa League
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Sukru Saracoglu Stadium

Well, it’s been another eventful week.

After the draw against Burnley, everyone came out of that game wondering how they didn’t score or win the game.

But the Red Devils will have to do the best they can to forget the game as they face Turkish giants Fenerbahce, as we all know how intimidating an away game in Turkey can be.

At this point, there’s no point debating, discussing or even pointing out the selection dilemmas Jose Mourinho could or should play against Fenerbahce.

Frankly at this point, it doesn’t matter.

Whoever Mourinho puts out against the Turkish the side, what every fan wants to see is a replica of that Burnley performance, with an end product.

Attack, attack, attack. Bear in mind, this is anyway game…in Turkey, I doubt that’s the ethos Mourinho would go with for this game, but you get the idea.

At the moment, no player is really outshining the others except possibly Michael Carrick and Juan Mata. Other then De Gea, this leaves eight positions up for grabs, but it’s how Mourinho sets them up in the upcoming games against Fenerbahce and Swansea that pundits, fans and everyone else will analyse.

And no wonder either, Mourinho’s not settled on a certain XI yet as he simply doesn’t know his most effective or best team yet but time and more importantly patience, could run out if they fail to win their next two games.

Anyone who thought that’s a ludicrous prediction, did you watch the Burnley game?

However, United will be encouraged from their previous performance against Fenerbahce when they bossed them 4-1 at Old Trafford, although they’ll know have to deal with a hellish atmosphere in Turkey.

Team news

Anthony Martial could make his return to the line-up after finally recovering from a foot injury. Skipper Wayne Rooney could also be given a place in the starting XI after he made a rare start in the first-leg.

Phil Jones is back in training after recovering from a knee ligament injury, and Mourinho hinted he could make the bench.

Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling remain injured for United’s trip to Turkey.

Predicted line-ups

Fenerbahce: Demirel, Ozbayrakli, Kjaer, Skrtel, Kaldirim; Topal, Neustader, Souza, Potuk; Van Persie, Eminike

Man Utd: De Gea, Darmian, Rojo, Blind, Shaw; Pogba, Schneiderlin; Lingard, Mata, Martial, Ibrahimovic