Man United narrow betting favorites for UEFA Europa League win over Fenerbache

Off the back from their come-from-behind win over Brentford in their Premier League return overthe weekend, Man United are betting favorites – albeit narrow to beat Fenerbache in their trip to Turkey this week in their UEFA Euorpa League return.

United, who returned triumphantly following the international break, came from behind at home against Thomas Frank’s Brentford side in a splendid second half display.

Conceding in the closing stages of the first half with center back, Matthijs de Ligt forced off due to treatment for a head wound, United fell behind with 10 men on the pitch to a bullet header from Ethan Pinnock.

And in a double-salvo in the second half, youthful forwards, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund found the net with two impressive finishes inside the area to guide Man United to three points at Old Trafford for the first time in over a month.

Man United narrow betting favorites for win against Fenerbache

And with pressure on Dutch head coach, Erik ten Hag landing some reprieve from scrutiny, United are closing as -130 betting favorites to land their first UEFA Europa League this season with a win over +188 betting underdogs, Fenerbache – with the standings Premier League seeing United rise up the table with their weekend win. 

Previously dropping two points in their European campaign opener to Eredivise side, FC Twente, Man United would need a late header from former captain, Harry Maguire to rescue a point on the road against FC Porto in the pair’s stunning 3-3 draw. 

And travelling to Turkey once more this season following a trip to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray in last season’s dismal UEFA Champions League group stage outing, Man United will look to put some substantial wrongs to the right against a familiar foe.

Guiding the Turkish giants this season is former Man United head coach, Jose Mourinho – who guides the Super Lig side with massive pedigree in both domestic and European settings.

And sharing his thoughts on his trip to Turkey to attempt to finally kickstart Man United’s UEFA Europa League, ten Hag spoke of his excitement to share the touchline with the Portuguese head coach midweek at the Ulker Fenerbache stadium.

“It’s a big game for both of us,” Erik ten Hag told ahead of the match at the Football Writers’ Association Northern Managers Awards dinner. “I really enjoy facing him (Jose Mourinho) and playing against him. He has always good teams, he is a winner – he (has) won so many trophies – I think he is an example for many, many managers.”

However, having squandered a lead in their Turkish Super Lig return over the weekend, Turkish veteran, Volkan Demiral claimed that despite much rever surrounding Mourinho’s initial guidance of the Fenerbache side, things have already taken a steep dive in his opinion.

“Right now, this Fenerbache team is mixed with unhappiness and hopelessness,” Demiral explained. “Why the unhappiness? Because of the environment they are in. Why the hopelessness? We were all expecting something. We were expecting it from Mourinho. We were expecting it from the transfers that were made.”

“We were saying let’s see after the international break, but nothing has changed at the moment, but it will obviously continue like this,” Demiral continued. “We waited to see if we could see a change, a variability, but it didn’t happen. We have not seen any changes in the game designs of the matches played at home or away. Or if you are leading 2-1, will Fenerbache play a seven-man defense. A big question mark.”

Currently sat at fourth in the Turkish Super Lig, Fenerbache have failed to live up to early season expectations, sat behind the trio of Samsunspor, Besiktas, as well as arch-rivals, Galatarasay who lead the domestic league format currently.

For Mourinho, the former Man United head coach is well-travelled, to say the least. A serial UEFA Champions League winner, landing successes with both FC Porto and Internazionale, Mourinho would also win league titles in both England and Spain with Chelsea and Real Madrid of note, respectively.

And in his penultimate season with AS Roma during his time managing the Serie A side, Mourinho landed the club a stunning UEFA Europa Conference League win over Dutch side, Feyenoord, adding to prior UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup successes during his gold-laden tenure in professional management. 

And while Mourinho will mark a familiar name for Man United fans come this week, the Turkish side will also sport two former Old Trafford midfielders in their side, with Brazilian favorite, Fred set to reunite with the side following his five seasons in England.

Furthermore, spending last season on loan from Serie A side, Fiorentina, Moroccan engine, Sofyan Amrabat is set to be reunited with the above-mentioned, ten Hag – with the Italian side again sending him out on loan this season. 

And ahead of his reuniting with some Man United friends and former teammates, Fred has backed the underfire Mourinho, talking highly of their meeting in the Turkish Super Lig – and boasting of his manager’s qualities.

“I don’t need to talk about Mourinho’s qualities; everyone knows them and the titles he has won,” Fred explained. “He’s a great manager, and I’m very grateful to him. He was one of the key people who brought me to Manchester United. When I was at Shakhtar, he called me, saying that he wanted me to go to United, and after a call from José Mourinho, I obviously couldn’t reject it.

“And now, I’m at Fenerbahçe, and he’s here again, so we’re back together.” Fred continued. “I’m very grateful and happy to work with him. He’s a great and respected person who contributes a lot to the backroom staff and the players. We want to win many titles, and he came for that; to help us reach the top of the table, to fight for European honours, and I’m sure that together we’ll do a good job here.”

Following their UEFA Europa League return this week against Fenerbache, Man United will travel to London to take on West Ham United – before a pair of matchups against both Leicester City and rivals Chelsea, before once more returning to European action in a pairing with Greek side, PAOK Salonika.