Manchester United manager eyes victory against Mourinho’s Fenerbahce

Erik ten Hag expressed his excitement for this week’s Europa League clash with Jose Mourinho, referring to the former Manchester United manager as “an example for many, many managers.”

United will travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce, marking a reunion with Mourinho, who took charge of the Turkish club in June after being dismissed by Roma.

The Portuguese coach is one of the most decorated managers in football history. Although he was a polarizing figure during his time at United from 2016 to 2018, he secured the League Cup and Europa League titles.

With United under pressure after drawing their first two matches in this season’s Europa League, Ten Hag is eager to challenge Mourinho’s tactical acumen on Thursday.

“It’s a big game for both of us,” he said at the Football Writers’ Association Northern Managers Awards dinner on Sunday.

“I really enjoy facing him and playing against him. He has always good teams, he is a winner — he (has) won so many trophies — I think he is an example for many, many managers.”

Despite leading United to FA Cup glory at the end of last season, Ten Hag is again under intense scrutiny after an poor start to this campaign — they are 11th in the Premier League with just three wins in eight games.

But the Dutchman accepts the pressure comes with the territory.

“It is football, you have to live for now,” he said. “(What happened) is in the past, you have to prove (yourself) every day, you have to prove yourself every season, so we have to go for it.

“We are in the start of the season and we will see where we end but our target is to win a trophy again.”

Some of the pressure on Ten Hag was eased on Saturday as United came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring the winner.

Having shown promise in a stop-start first campaign with United, Hojlund has had an injury-disrupted start to this season and his goal at the weekend was his first in the Premier League since May.

But now Hojlund is inching closer to full fitness, Ten Hag believes the 21-year-old Dane will continue to excel.

“He will always score,” Ten Hag added. “What is important is he is keeping fit. He picked up so many injuries in the first season and when he stays fit, he will score goals because that (is) proved (in) his stats.”