Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce in the Europa League has left the squad feeling disappointed, according to goalkeeper André Onana. United initially took the lead through a well-taken Christian Eriksen goal, but Youssef En-Nesyri equalized early in the second half, ensuring the match ended in a frustrating draw for the Red Devils.
Onana, who made a spectacular double save to deny En-Nesyri from scoring again, shared the team’s frustrations after the final whistle. “It’s a big disappointment for me, the fans, and the club,” he told TNT Sports. “As a Manchester United player, you have an obligation to try to win. We didn’t get the win, but at least we didn’t lose. Not happy, of course, but we move on, take responsibility, and go again.”
Despite a strong effort from United, the team struggled to put Fenerbahce away, even after Eriksen’s early goal. The result leaves United still searching for their first Europa League win of the season.
Mourinho Sent Off in Chaotic Encounter
One of the major talking points of the night came when Fenerbahce manager José Mourinho was sent to the stands after a heated argument with the referee. Mourinho, who famously led United to Europa League glory in 2017, was left fuming after his team was denied a penalty and took aim at the referee’s “incredible” decision-making.
“He told us something incredible,” Mourinho said sarcastically in his post-match interview. “He claimed he could see the action in the box and my behavior on the touchline at the same time. His peripheral vision must be world-class! That’s why he’s one of the best referees in the world.”
Mourinho’s dismissal added to the drama of the night, but it was Fenerbahce who arguably had the better of the chances, with En-Nesyri’s equalizer coming from a brilliant Allan Saint-Maximin cross.
Injuries Pile Up for United
To make matters worse for United, winger Antony suffered an injury late in the game after coming on as a substitute. He was stretchered off the pitch and later seen leaving the stadium in a protective boot, casting doubt on his availability for upcoming matches.
Manager Erik ten Hag, who is already dealing with a depleted squad due to injuries and suspensions, remained positive ahead of their next fixture against West Ham United, but emphasized the need for his team to be more clinical.
“We’ve shown we are a team that’s hard to beat,” Ten Hag said. “We created the chances, but we need to be more ruthless. We let them escape with a point, and that’s something we have to fix moving forward.”
With the pressure mounting, United will need to find their winning form quickly if they hope to make an impact in Europe this season.
