Erik ten Hag makes surprising Man Utd claim as Jose Mourinho names his next job

Erik ten Hag and Jose Mourinho had to settle for a point on Thursday night

Christian Eriksen’s goal was not enough to give Manchester United victory over Fenerbahce in the Europa League, and Youssef En-Nesyri ensured Jose Mourinho’s team shared the spoils.

Erik ten Hag insisted Manchester United can be content with their Europa League campaign despite failing to maintain a lead for the third game in a row.

Christian Eriksen fired United ahead in the 15th minute, briefly quieting a raucous Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, but Jose Mourinho’s side rallied to equalize shortly after the break through Youssef En-Nesyri’s header. Mourinho was then sent off for his furious touchline reaction when referee Clement Turpin failed to award a penalty for Manuel Ugarte’s challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel, and he later offered his services to any struggling Premier League club in exchange for not being involved in European football.

United are now 21st in the table, although Ten Hag insisted: “We have had two difficult away games at Porto and now Fenerbahce, so that is not a terrible thing. Of course, when you take the lead, drawing the game should not happen – and we had opportunities to score a second goal.

“We were disappointed not to win. At Old Trafford, we now need to win games.

“However, Fenerbahce is a really fantastic club with very good fans and some good players. This game would be an excellent finale.

“We need to keep the ball better than we did in the first half.” We should have scored more goals, but to be fair, they also generated decent opportunities. They caused us some troubles.

But we want to win. “We want to win every game.”

Mourinho argued that his squad deserved better, claiming that only a stunning double save by United goalkeeper Andre Onana from En-Nesyri prevented the Turkish club from a famous victory.

Mourinho stated, “The greatest thing I can do when I leave Fenerbahce is move to a team that does not compete in UEFA competitions. So, if a club in England’s lower tier needs a coach in two years, I’m ready. I don’t want to talk about it any more. If I appeal the red card, I will receive six months.

“I think my squad played fantastically against a team that is far superior to whatever we will face in Turkey. Andre Onana’s two saves from En-Nesyri in the first half sealed the victory.”