ISTANBUL, 2024, OCTOBER 23 – Manchester United FC manager Erik ten Hag spoke to the media ahead of the team’s UEFA Europa League fixture against Fenerbahçe SK, set to take place at the intimidating Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul. With Jose Mourinho now managing the Turkish side, the encounter is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the group stage.
Ten Hag emphasised that challenges like these should be embraced, noting that Manchester United’s players are used to performing in high-pressure environments. The Dutchman also provided updates on key injuries, addressed Mourinho’s presence on the opposing side, and reiterated the club’s ambition to succeed in Europe this season.
Relishing the Challenge in Istanbul
In his comments, ten Hag stressed the importance of embracing the intense atmosphere awaiting them at Fenerbahçe:
“Tests like playing Fenerbahçe away, in their intimidating Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, should be relished by our players. It’s why they became professionals.”
Update on Mason Mount
Injuries have affected United’s squad this season, and ten Hag provided an update on Mason Mount’s situation:
“I think a bit longer, that’s what we expected. I think he will be back soon. The players who are available have to do the job [against Fenerbahçe] and they are capable of doing the job.”
Thriving in a Hostile Atmosphere
The manager remained unfazed by the prospect of playing in front of a passionate Turkish crowd:
“I think we have enough players in the team that are so experienced. Our team is so experienced. We’ve faced such situations more often. I think we’re looking forward, I think it will be a great ambience [in the stadium]. That’s fuel for the team and it’s a real challenge, it’s a motivation, it’s really good for us.”
Europa League Ambitions
As Manchester United seeks to make progress in Europe, Ten Hag acknowledged the importance of targeting success in the competition:
“We won domestic cups after he [Jose Mourinho] left but Manchester United didn’t win in Europe. It’s also, for us, a target that we want to achieve and we have a big opportunity this season but, of course, we have to qualify, we have to win games. It’s a new set-up, we are now two games under way. We have two points, so we know what we have to do, we have to win games.”
Mourinho’s Legacy and Comparisons
With Jose Mourinho now in charge of Fenerbahçe, Ten Hag was asked to reflect on comparisons between the two managers:
“Yes, Mourinho and I, we won a lot of trophies in the last years. But you have to prove yourself every year and when you don’t win, we are always under criticism. We know that, we are experienced enough. Professional football is about winning games. When you don’t win games, criticism is coming, but we also know it’s about how you are in the end of the year. Mourinho is so experienced, he will lead his team to its best form and will be successful and so will we. We are convinced we are in the right direction and if we follow the right path, we will achieve what our targets are.”
Familiar Faces at Fenerbahçe
Several former Premier League players, including ex-United stars Fred and Sofyan Amrabat, now play for Fenerbahçe. Ten Hag acknowledged their qualities while remaining focused on his own team’s preparations:
“Fenerbahçe is a very good team with a lot of good players. We know some. Fred, a long time at Manchester United, very experienced. We won the Carabao Cup with him. With Sofyan Amrabat, we won the FA Cup, very experienced also and very good in the World Cup. Dusan Tadic: [I have a] long history with him at Ajax, won also a lot of trophies with him. They have so many experienced and good players and they have an experienced coach, so these are very good players, very good team. We will not underestimate them, we will not overestimate them. We have to play our own game. We love to play in this environment, we’re really looking forward and we’re always looking forward [to playing] against good teams, because that’s why you become a professional footballer: to go for these challenges.”
Managing Injuries
In closing, Ten Hag discussed managing the team’s injury situation with a busy fixture schedule ahead:
“It’s complicated, it’s never easy but that you know beforehand. We have to deal with it and we will deal with it as a team. We have to cover many games in a short time, we will do that as best as possible. We have to progress. I think we made a good step and now we have to follow up tomorrow, and then we have to go again on Sunday. Players like to play football instead of doing training, so, for players, it’s best the way it is: so many games coming up and, as a team, it’s also an advantage. As long as you have players available enough, so you can construct a team and that you don’t have to go into a big injury risk. At this moment, we are still okay, hopefully we don’t get many more injuries because then we will be short.”
With the Europa League campaign in full swing, Manchester United will look to secure their first win of the competition in a challenging encounter against Fenerbahçe. Ten Hag’s squad is determined to embrace the test and build on their European ambitions.
