Manchester United will travel to Istanbul to face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe, a special match for the Red Devils’ fanbase as they reunite with ‘the special one,’ their manager from 2016 to 2018.
Much of the spotlight is on Mourinho ahead of this fixture, especially given Manchester United’s poor form this season. The club currently sits 11th in the Premier League and has dropped points in both of its Europa League matches.
Despite the pressure, Erik ten Hag remains unfazed and is looking forward to the challenge. “I really enjoy facing him and competing against him,” the Dutchman said as per Sky Sports.
Erik ten Hag on Jose Mourinho as Manchester United travel to Turkey to face Fenerbahce this week 👀⚔ pic.twitter.com/aofK8APaBK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 21, 2024
“He’s an example for many, many managers,” Ten Hag added, subtly pointing out that Mourinho has always had strong teams with whom he’s won trophies.
Mourinho is Manchester United’s most successful manager in the post-Ferguson era, having won three trophies—including the 2017 Europa League.
With Ten Hag under scrutiny, the match is also being viewed as a potential turning point—where Mourinho could end his counterpart’s United tenure.
During the tumultuous final months of Jose Mourinho’s reign at Old Trafford, he frequently complained about issues with how the club was run and its player recruitment strategy. At the time, much of the Manchester United fanbase turned against Mourinho, feeling he was creating a rift with the team’s stars.
Six years later, however, the problems he pointed out continue to plague the club.
If Mourinho defeats United in Istanbul on Thursday, it could push Ten Hag to the brink of being sacked, with Mourinho once again living up to his ‘special one’ tag.
However, Mourinho himself is facing challenges in the Turkish Super Lig, with Fenerbahçe—expected to challenge for the title—currently in fourth place, eight points behind local rivals Galatasaray.
His focus, therefore, won’t be on the media noise surrounding his reunion with Manchester United but on turning Fenerbahçe’s season around.
