It is the third draw in a row for Manchester United as they gave up a lead yet again to draw tonight. Leading at half-time thanks to a splendid effort from Christian Eriksen, they almost immediately surrendered it. Although generally solid in defence, they failed to inspire in attack against limited opposition.
The home side will be happier of the two at the end. They would have been downbeat after being thwarted on three separate occasions by a combination of saves and blocks before finally coming good. The action dropped substantially although Jose Mourinho did manage to get himself sent off for protesting a penalty claim.
Erik ten Hag named four changes from the poor display against Spurs at the weekend. Rasmus Hojlund made his first start since his injury in pre-season. He was joined by Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Amad Diallo in the starting lineup. Kobee Mainoo was out due to injury, whilst Manuel Ugarte, Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee all dropped to the bench. Vitor Bruno made just one change to the home side. Stephen Eustaquio replaced Nicholas Gonzalez from the team who won 4-0 at the weekend.
The home side started the brighter roared on by passionate support. The first real opportunity came when Bright Osayi-Samuel found space inside the area. He was only able to shoot into the side netting, however. Fred then lashed over from a corner against his former club.
Despite all the early pressure, it was the reds who went in front with their first attack. Manuel Ugarte started it by winning the ball in midfield. He played it into the feet of Noussair Mazraoui who slipped it to Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch forward tied up Christian Eriksen who blasted it home.
Marcus Rashford almost made it two when he embarked on a mazy run before he was forced too wide. That could have been costly as Fenerbahce came mightily close to an equaliser. Andre Onana spilled a cross from Sebastain Szymanski into the path of Dusan Tadic. Manuel Ugarte was in the right place at the right time.
Onana redeemed himself not long after though as the home side continued to attack. He tipped away a point-blank header from Youssef En-Nesyri. The ball was not properly cleared, and it was chipped back into the area for the striker to have a second chance. Again, the United keeper denied him. Even Mourinho was stunned by it.
The loss of control by Utd proved costly two minutes after the break. Allan Saint-Maximin was allowed far too much room out wide. He swung a dangerous cross into the area where En-Nesyri stole between both Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt to make it third time lucky.
There were huge claims for a penalty as Osayi-Samuel went to ground after a challenge from Ugarte. It was adjudged to be legitimate much to the consternation of home fans. Jose took it too far and was sent to the stands for his efforts.
United could have gone back in front twice in the space of a few minutes. Firstly, Mazraoui saw his shot from outside the area tipped over by Dominik Livakovic. The keeper was then called again to stop a header from De Ligt.
From open play, the attack was still spluttering along without ever really coming into life. It was summed up when Antony was subbed on before having to be subbed off due to a knock. Rasmus Hojilund did have a run and shot but was straight at Livakovic.
Even with about fifteen minutes left, the home side appeared content with the draw. The issue was that the reds seemed unable to do much about it. Alejandro Garnacho tried his luck but failed to trouble Livakovic.
As you were on the final whistle. The credit must go to the sizeable support United took with them on the road for yet another underwhelming scoreline. The chances of progressing are getting steadily worse as games go on. It is another tough journey on Sunday as they travel to West Ham. Our hosts have a home game in the Turkish league against Bodrum on the same day.
Fenerbache: Dominik Livakovic, Mert Mulder, Alexander Djiku, Caglar Soyuenco, Bright Osayi-Samuel (Rodrigo Becao 62), Fred, Sofyan Amrabat, Sebastian Szymanski (Mert Hakan Yandas 90), Allan Saint Maximin (79), Youssef En-Nesyri (Irfan Can Kahveci 79), Dusan Tadic (Edin Dzeko 79).
Subs not used: Irfan Can Egribayat, Samet Akaydin, Cenk Tosun, Zeki Dursun, Ertugrul Cetin, Sukur Tograk, Yusuf Akcicek.
Booked: Bright Osayi-Samuel (60), Mert Mulder (90+2)
Sent off: None
Manchester United: Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof (Carlos Casemiro 55), Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Manuel Ugarte, Marcus Rashford (Antony 73 (Amad Diallo 89)), Noussair Mazraoui, Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee (Rasmus Hojlund 55).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Tom Heaton, Ethan Wheatley, Harry Amass, Habeeb Ogunneye.
Booked: Marcus Rashford (14)
Referee: Clement Turpin
Stretty News Player of the Match: Manuel Ugarte
Poor result against Spurs? Get a grip, man, last match amazingly enough was a victory, against Brentford.
Tonight again was same old, same old. Not to worry: they can get together in the dressing room, we are told, and have a nice cosy chat about what went wrong, what should have been done, what could be done better, and zzzzzzz.
We’ve heard it all before.