Match Report: Fenerbahçe 1-1 Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahçe in what was a turbulent Europa League clash.

With two frustrating draws against FC Twente and Porto, a win was essential for Man United in order to build some momentum and progress to the Europa League knockouts.

One of the most hostile grounds to play at, the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium was ringing with whistles and boos as the home fans made their dissatisfaction known with every pass that United made. Still, the away side refused to cave under pressure, maintaining possession and dictating the flow of play in the early minutes of the match.

The home side were the first to strike, with Bright Osayi-Samuel taking a left-footed shot that hit the side netting.

Former United player Fred did well to get into the box, however, Diego Dalot made an impressive tackle to send the ball out for a corner. United’s red wall of defence held steady, easily disposing of the subsequent danger.

10 minutes in, Saint-Maximin made a blistering run forward, passing the ball to Mert Müldür, who sent a threatening cross into the box. While Andre Onana was unable to reach the incoming ball, Lisandro Martinez, the captain on the night, did well to compose himself and clear the ball out of danger.

Marcus Rashford received a yellow card for a challenge on Sebastian Szymański, a seemingly harsh decision from the ref, given how little contact was made.

In the 14th minute, against the run of play, United broke the deadlock. Joshua Zirkzee picked out Christian Eriksen outside the box, slamming home a stunning strike to hand United the lead.

At the 20-minute mark, Dušan Tadić took a shot from a distance that Onana did well to track. He caught the ball coolly to quash the danger.

Moments later, United were on the break, with Rashford using some fancy footwork to dance past Mert Müldür and former United loanee Sofyan Amrabat. Unfortunately, while his shot was curving inward, it skimmed past the far post.

The action was nonstop as Fenerbahçe burst forward. While Onana managed to parry an incoming pass, the ball continued on its trajectory, falling to Tadic. Suddenly, Manuel Ugarte made a heroic sliding tackle, blocking Tadic’s shot to halt the danger. It was a goal-saving challenge from Ugarte, who was the last man standing between Tadic and a certain goal.

10 minutes from the break, Saint-Maximin sent a through ball to Youssef En-Nesyri, only for Victor Lindelof to make an impressive sliding tackle.

The subsequent corner was a dangerous one, with Onana making a full-stretch save to stop En-Nesyri’s downward header. Then, Tadic pounced on the rebound, sending a cross back to En-Nesyri, whose glancing header was tipped over the crossbar by Onana. A heroic display by the United shot-stopper.

After a minute of stoppage time, the referee brought an end to the first half to the relief of United fans. It was a composed performance by Ten Hag’s side despite being on the back foot for much of the match in what was a hostile environment.

Just three minutes after the restart, United’s concentration was shot. Saint-Maximim sent a hurtling cross into En-Nesyri, who got in between De Ligt and Lindelof unmarked. His header bounced into the ground past Onana’s glove to level the score. A disappointing moment for Ten Hag’s team after an extended period of composure.

Recognising the recent errors, Ten Hag hauled Lindelof off for Casemiro while a struggling Joshua Zirkzee was replaced by Rasmus Hojlund.

The home side was calling for a penalty in the 55th minute after Ugarte seemed to clip Osayi-Samuel as he pivoted past him on the edge of the box. The referee was quick to dismiss the penalty claims.

Moments later, United almost took advantage of Fenerbahçe’s lapse in concentration as Hojlund sent a ball across the face of the goal to Rashford, who was unable to make a clean connection with the ball from an opportune scoring position.

Osayi-Samuel then fouled Garnacho, handing United a free kick on the edge of the box.

Eriksen’s free-kick hit the wall. However, United maintained possession. While the team made several crosses into the box from either flank, the home side’s stubborn defence refused to give United the space to take a clear shot.

In the 67th minute, Mazraoui swung in a threatening shot from distance to force a diving save from the goalkeeper, winning United’s second corner of the game. Eriksen’s cross was tipped over the bar by the keeper for another corner. This time, the ball soared over the top for a goal kick.

With 18 minutes left to play, Rashford’s night came to an end. He was replaced by Antony.

Hojlund showed some individual brilliance with 15 minutes left to play, dodging past two defenders and taking a shot from the edge of the box to force a save.

Garnacho was brought down outside the box in the 83rd minute, giving United a free kick from a promising position.

Eriksen whipped in a tricky cross that the keeper barely managed to parry out of danger.

Antony played an opportune pass to Garnacho on the opposite wing, who cut inside and fired a grounded shot that the keeper saved.

Moments later, Hojlund showed great awareness to pounce on a loose pass; however, the goalkeeper came out in time to prevent the Dane from taking a shot.

In a concerning moment for the United bench, Antony immediately stopped playing and began to hop in agony. While he made his way to the touchline to recover, Antony signalled that he could continue the match.

Seconds later, he changed his mind, and concerned-looking Ten Hag brought on Amad Diallo to replace the Brazilian after just 15 minutes of play.

With five minutes added on for stoppage time, Amad was brought down on the edge of the box for another free-kick. Eriksen’s cross was deflected out to Mazraoui, who skied his shot.

It was another frustrating result for United, with three draws in their first three Europa League outings. Suddenly, Erik ten Hag’s team’s chances of progressing becoming ever slimmer. One can only wonder how much time Ten Hag has left in his role as manager should United’s poor form persist.

Starting XI: Onana, Lindelof, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Rashford, Zirkzee, Eriksen, Garnacho, Dalot, Ugarte Subs: Casemiro, Hojlund, Antony, Amad

Featured image Burak Kara via Getty Images