Manchester United have conceded at least thrice in each of their last five European away games, as many occasions as across the previous 81 such fixtures, so another goal-fest seems likely in İstanbul.
Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United Preview
Can Manchester United claim their first victory of this season's Europa League? So far, the Red Devils have been held to a pair of draws in this competition, first conceding a comically lackadaisical equaliser as Twente departed Old Trafford with a point. A week later, they led 2-0 inside 20 minutes against Porto, only to completely collapse, conceded three times in 23 minutes, therefore going behind, before Harry Maguire's injury time header snatched a dramatic draw at Estádio do Dragão.
As a result, Erik ten Hag's team currently sit 21st in the gigantic league table, ahead of this trip to Kadıköy, situated on the Asian side of the Bosporus Strait, which could prove to be their toughest assignment of the league phase. At the weekend at least, Man United did end their five-game winless streak by beating Brentford 2-1 at home, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund on target, climbing up to 12th in the Premier League. This team though are never too far away from a crisis, under pressure to leave İstanbul with all three points.
In the opposition dugout meantime, taking charge of a ninth different club in UEFA competition, how José Mourinho would love to win this one. Mourinho has been brought to Türkiye to end Fenerbahçe's 11-year wait for a Süper Lig title, with the Yellow Canaries most-recently featuring in the Champions League group stage in 2008. They did have the opportunity to change the latter during the summer, overcoming Lugano in Champions League qualifying, before a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Lille, the winner coming right at the end of extra time, shattered that dream.
In this competition meantime, Fener defeated Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 on opening night, Çağlar Söyüncü on target, before Dušan Tadić's equaliser in Enschede salvaged a 1-1 draw against his former side Twente. Domestically, having lost in the Intercontinental Derby last month, Mourinho's team are already eight points adrift champions Galatasaray, also held to a 2-2 draw by Samsunspor on Sunday, so a big win here would help keep supporters on side. Fenerbahçe have won both of their last two home games against Man United, 3-0 in 2004 and 2-1 in 2016, when Mourinho was in the opposing dugout, so will it be a famous night at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium?
Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 6
- Fenerbahçe Wins: 3. Draws: 3. Manchester United Wins: 3.
Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United: Previous 6 Meetings
- 3 November 2016 - Fenerbahçe 2-1 Manchester United
- 20 October 2016 - Manchester United 4-1 Fenerbahçe
- 8 December 2004 - Fenerbahçe 3-0 Manchester United
- 28 September 2004 - Manchester United 6-2 Fenerbahçe
- 30 October 1996 - Manchester United 0-1 Fenerbahçe
- 16 October 1996 - Fenerbahçe 0-2 Manchester United
Fenerbahçe Team News
This Fenerbahçe squad features an array of familiar faces, including eight players who've played in the Premier League, making a combined 697 appearances in England's top division. Amongst them, Fred and Sofyan Amrabat will be the midfield duo against their former club, while Allan Saint-Maximin and Dušan Tadić have both scored against Man United before. Cengiz Ünder is injured while Filip Kostić didn't join in time to be registered for UEFA competition. Former QPR full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel could return, having served a one-match ban against Twente, but Rodrigo Becão is a booking away from a European suspension of his own.
Fenerbahçe predicted lineup vs Manchester United: (4-2-3-1): Livaković; Müldür, Becão, Djiku, Oosterwolde; Amrabat, Fred, Tadić, Szymański, Can Kahveci; En-Nesyri.
Fenerbahçe Player to Watch vs Manchester United
Edin Džeko has scored nine goals this season, four of which came in Champions League qualifying, having also netted a staggering nine times in 11 previous appearances against Man United, on target against them for three different clubs. However, he's not started either league phase game so far, with Youssef En-Nesyri getting the nod; the Moroccan bagged a brace as Sevilla knocked out the Red Devils two seasons ago.
Manchester United Team News
Bruno Fernandes' red card at the Dragão means he is suspended, while injuries to Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount leaves Erik ten Hag with very limited midfield options. At the back, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro are all sidelined, but Noussair Mazraoui did come off the bench at the weekend, following "minor surgery" after he experienced heart palpitations.
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Fenerbahçe: (4-2-3-1): Onana, Dalot, de Ligt, Lindelöf, Martínez; Ugarte, Casemiro, Eriksen; Garnacho, Rashford, Højlund.
Manchester United Player to Watch vs Fenerbahçe
Rasmus Højlund has scored in two of his last three appearances, on target against Porto and Brentford, so can he keep his hot-streak going?
Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United Prediction
We're backing Fenerbahçe to pick up all three points. Man United have won only two of nine previous visits to İstanbul, losing four, and we're forecasting a similar outcome, given how inconsisent Erik ten Hag's team continue to be, especially away in Europe: Fenerbahçe 2-1 Manchester United.
Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United FAQs - Europa League
How to watch Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United Europa League game on TV channel?
Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United Europa League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 2
- USA: Paramount+, ViX, TUDN USA & UniMás.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United Europa League game on live streaming?
Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United Europa League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United in the Europa League?
Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United takes place on Thursday 24 October 2024, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (ET) & 12:00 (PDT).