This is not the start to the season that Jose Mourinho would've imagined, his Manchester United side is struggling for form in the Premier League and now face an uphill battle to secure qualification to the next round of the Europa League.
United suffered a 2-1 defeat tonight at the hands of Fenerbahce in Turkey to leave them in the third position in Group A. The Red Devils fell behindafter just two minutes when Moussa Sow struck early with a wonder strike. United then suffered a major blow midway through the half with Paul Pogba coming off injured.
The hosts then doubled their lead on 56 minutes thanks to another great strike, this time from Jeremain Lens superb free-kick, which left United with a huge task. They managed to pull a goal back late on through captain Wayne Rooney, with thesetup a nervous couple of minutes for Fenerbahce.
Rooney's terrific goal
Rooney's goal was another terrific strike, from 25 yards out, straight into the top corner. United grew in confidence and pushed hard for an equaliser, but no to avail. There was still time for more drama in this Europa League tie, though when in the 93rd minute United had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down.
Ander Herrera fired a shottowards goal whichhit Martin Skrtel and the United players immediately appealed for a penalty for handball, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Unfortunately for United, there wasn't another time left to level the scoreline, which meant that Fenerbahce moved above Mourinho's side in Group A.
The Turkish side is now unbeaten in their last six home Europa League games, winning five and drawing one. Last time out in the Europa League, United beat Fenerbahce 4-1 at Old Trafford, but tonight the tables turned.
United will be hoping that they can bounce back from tonight's game when they face Swansea City in Wales on Sunday.
How the two sides lined up:
Fenerbahce: Volkan, Sener, Kjaer, Skrtel, Hasan Ali, Mehmet T, Josef, Alper, Lens, Volkan Sen, Moussa Sow.
Subs: Fabiano, van Persie, Koybasi, Emenike, Neustadter, Ucan, Stoch.
Goals: Sow (2) and Lens (59)
Man Utd: De Gea, Darmian, Blind, Rojo, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Rashford, Pogba, Martial, Rooney.
Subs: Romero, Jones, Fellaini, Mata, Mkhitaryan, Young, Ibrahimovic.
Goals:Rooney (89)
