Fenerbace defeat Manchester United in the Europa League (Photo : Gettyimages.co.uk)
Juan Mata appears disconsolate after defeat tonight for United in their Europa League game against Fenerbahce (Photo : gettyimages.co.uk)
Manchester United's European away day blues continued after yet another away defeat in Europe, this time to Turkish side Fenerbahce. United who beat the same opponents 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford last time out, were a shadow of that side on the night.
Man United boss Jose Mourinho at the start of this game, was no doubt looking for a reaction from his United players. The Portuguese manager who was tinkered with his team a lot in Europe, opted to the same here as Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were dropped to the bench.
Players such as Morgan Schniederlin and Wayne Rooney were given a chance to prove themselves on a mild night in Istanbul. Jose's decision to change his side and rest some players back fired as his United side fell a goal behind very early in the game to a brilliant strike from Moussa Sow.
The Red Devils despite having more than the lion's share of possession showed little threat up front. Rooney who was deployed as a central striker struggled to get in the game, with the quality of service he received on the night, which was next to zero, it was hardly surprising.
Initially, the plan for United was to have players like Pogba, Martial and Rashford to support the lone front man Wayne Rooney but their play wasn't decisive enough - quick enough for any of those players to make an impact in the game.
When Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on for Paul Pogba, who appeared to go off due to a dead leg, United's shape looked a little better, but The Red Devils still weren't really creating many real clear-cut chances despite having 70% of the possession.
In fact, it was the home side Fenerbahce who looked the most dangerous. Turkish side Fenerbahce were more direct and with Emineke, who was a West Ham loanee last year the Nigerian was causing the central defensive pairing of Marcus Rojo and Dailly Blind all kinds of problems.
It was little surprise when the home side further increased their lead through Jermaine Lens. Lens who was formerly of Sunderland scored with a brilliant fee kick, which left Man United goal keeper with no chance.
Wantaway midfielder Henrikh Mkhtrariyan, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford was brought on, but even the Armenian was unable to provide the spark needed to help his side overcome Fenerbahce.
Although United captain Wayne Rooney grabbed a consolation with a superb strike, which put him level with Ruud Van Nistelrooy's all time record of 38 goals in European competition. Despite that brilliant strike from the England captain, his Manchester United side will have to probably win both of their remaining games to ensure a smooth passage into the latter stages of the competition.
