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All eyes will be on Fenerbahce and Manchester United on Thursday night when the current Red Devils boss takes on one of his predecessors.
Erik ten Hag has been under constant scrutiny throughout his time at Old Trafford, though times were easier during his first season as they finished third in the Premier League and won the Carabao Cup, a marked improvement after coming sixth with no silverware in 2021/22.
However, expectations remain sky-high at Manchester United and 2023/24’s finish of eighth was only mitigated by the heroic FA Cup triumph at Wembley Stadium, which in turn helped Ten Hag keep his job.
He remains in charge following a 2-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday but has a truly fascinating task on his hands on Thursday night when he takes on one of the ghosts of United’s recent past.
Mourinho led United from the summer of 2016 before being dismissed in late 2018, having won the Community Shield, Europa League and Carabao Cup in his first season. He remains a revered coach for all his accomplishments earlier in his career, though his guarantee of top-level success has faded of late.
It’s bound to be an occasion the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager will relish. The 61-year-old was quick to pat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the head after leading Tottenham Hotspur to a resounding 6-1 victory in 2020, though the Norwegian returned the favour when United won in north London later that season.
Mourinho’s time in the Premier League didn’t cross over with Ten Hag as he was sacked by Spurs well before his latest successor arrived. In fact, Thursday night will see the pair square off on the touchline for the first time in their managerial careers.
Ten Hag took over from Peter Bosz at Ajax shortly after Mourinho led United to Europa League glory in 2017, with the Eredivisie side defeated finalists before their dramatic run in the Champions League a few years later.
“It’s a big game for both of us. I [will] really enjoy facing him and playing against him,” Ten Hag said at the recent Football Writers’ Association awards.
“He always has good teams; he is a winner and has won so many trophies. He’s an example for many managers, so I will really enjoy playing against him.”
Ten Hag has not coached any of his former teams against Fenerbahce, but it’s not the first time he’ll take on a Turkish outfit.
The 54-year-old previously led his Ajax side to two wins over Besiktas during the 2021/22 Champions League group stage, but things weren’t so straightforward when United took on Galatasaray at the same stage of the 2023/24 competition.
The Red Devils could only take a point from their two meetings, throwing away a 2-0 lead in Turkey to draw 3-3 before being beaten 3-2 at home as a result of another late capitulation.
Erik ten Hag’s record vs Turkish teams
|
Team played |
Games |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
+/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Besiktas |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4:1 |
|
Galatasaray |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
5:6 |
Mourinho’s last game against United came back in 2021. He was on his last legs as Spurs manager and saw his side slip to a 3-1 defeat, though he lasted in his role for another game before getting the sack.
He had overseen the 6-1 win at Old Trafford under a year previously, though his last success against the Red Devils before that came in 2015 as manager of Chelsea. Eden Hazard scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge that day.
In total, Mourinho has won ten and drawn nine of his 24 matches against United, falling to defeat in just five fixtures.
Jose Mourinho’s record vs Man Utd
|
Games |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
+/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
24 |
10 |
9 |
5 |
32:23 |
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