Manchester United played to a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce on Thursday evening.
The match saw the visitors take an early lead in the 15th minute, courtesy of Christian Eriksen, who completed a well-coordinated attack. Fenerbahce pressed for an equalizer in the first half, but their efforts were thwarted by an outstanding double save from goalkeeper Andre Onana.
In the second half, Fenerbahce found their leveler when Youssef En-Nesyri scored with a header, beating Onana. Former United manager Jose Mourinho received a red card for protesting a non-penalty decision, but Fenerbahce managed to hold on for the draw.
Carl Anka and Anantaajith Raghuraman from The Athletic provided insights following the match.
For Manchester United, the draw exacerbated their ongoing issue of conceding goals shortly after half-time. Fenerbahce’s equalizing goal came just after the restart, a situation that Erik ten Hag quickly addressed by substituting players. Although United attempted to regain control, their gameplay lacked the sharpness that led to a recent 2-1 win over Brentford.
Defensive lapses, particularly by Diogo Dalot, hindered United’s overall performance. The team has not secured an away win in Europe since March 2023, leaving them in a challenging position within the Europa League’s standings.
Onana’s impressive double save late in the first half was a highlight of the match, preserving United’s lead for a time. His performance was likened to other standout saves across the league this season and proved crucial in a tightly contested game.
Noussair Mazraoui replaced captain Bruno Fernandes due to suspension and played a different role than usual. Although he contributed to the opening goal, he did not fully replicate Fernandes’ playmaking capabilities, eventually leading to changes in the positioning shortly after Fenerbahce’s goal.
Manuel Ugarte, in his fourth start of the season, demonstrated his abilities by stabilizing United’s midfield and making several key defensive contributions, helping to keep Fenerbahce at bay for most of the match. Despite a few mistakes, his overall performance was a positive step for the team.
Following the match, Ten Hag commented on the injury to Antony, who was seen leaving the stadium in a protective boot, expressing concern for the player’s well-being.
Looking ahead, Manchester United will face West Ham on Sunday, October 27, in a Premier League match.