Under-pressure Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces a daunting task as his side travels to face Turkish outfit Fenerbahce on Thursday evening, with the backdrop of a potentially turbulent league season hanging over his head.
The Red Devils’ off-field struggles are well-documented, and a failure to deliver in the Europa League could further exacerbate the growing concerns of the club’s main stakeholders. Despite their weekend win over Brentford, Ten Hag’s team has thus far drawn both of their European fixtures, leaving them bottom of the standalone table.
The 2-1 victory over the Bees was a small but welcome respite from the turmoil, but more pressure is building on the Dutchman to deliver success in the competition. Conversely, Fenerbahce, now managed by the calculating and experienced José Mourinho, boast a more impressive European record, having beaten Union Saint-Gilloise on matchday one and snagging a point from their last outing against Twente.
Ten Hag will be acutely aware that this fixture represents a prime opportunity to redefine his team’s season, emphasizing the need to emerge with a positive result in Turkey. The Fenerbahce faithful will, however, provide a hostile atmosphere, pitting their wits against a manager who has a history of outmaneuvering his opponents. With both teams displaying an equal level of inconsistency, it remains to be seen how the side managed by Ten Hag will respond to the stern test ahead, a contest that could go a long way in shaping the future of his tenure at Old Trafford.
