Manchester United’s experimental line-up, complete with Noussair Mazraoui in the No 10 role, made it three draws from three in the Europa League with a 1-1 scoreline against Fenerbahce.
For all the skill and glamour in Erik ten Hag’s XI, it was the industrious Manuel Ugarte and the ageing Christian Eriksen who stood out in Istanbul. Eriksen scored United’s only goal of the game before Youssef En-Nesyri’s headed equaliser after the break.
The tension was too much for ex-United boss Jose Mourinho – now in charge of Fenerbahce – as he was red carded and sent to the stands for a trademark touchline eruption.
With the dust settling, Express Sport takes you through how each Red Devils star performed on Thursday night…
Man Utd player ratings vs Fenerbahce (4-2-3-1)
Andre Onana – 7
The goalkeeper let a low cross slip through his fingers early on, and it would have been punished if Ugarte did not produce a wonderful goal-saving block. But all that will be remembered from Onana’s performance is a sublime double save to twice deny En-Nesyri from close range in the first half.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Some good and some bad from the Portuguese, who had a tricky assignment against Allan Saint-Maximin. He should have done better when he raced behind the back-line but played a sloppy ball to Marcus Rashford when a goal looked on.
Victor Lindelof – 5 (Casemiro, 55)
Lindelof produced a good block to deny En-Nesyri in the first half but he had to do more to stop the Moroccan heading in Fenerbahce’s equaliser. How costly that turned out to be.
Matthijs De Ligt – 6
A quiet night for the Dutchman as Fenerbahce forward En-Nesyri looked to prey on United’s smaller defenders.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
He made a shoddy start and things didn’t improve a whole lot. Playing at left-back, Martinez was caught out of position and then skinned by Bright Osayi-Samuel in the first half. He was also guilty of giving the ball away.
Christian Eriksen – 8
Eriksen looked the most competent United midfielder going forward, though admittedly competition was not particularly fierce in that department. The Dane’s goal was struck beautifully and he enjoyed a positive night on the whole.
Manuel Ugarte – 8
Slowly but surely United fans are starting to see why the club forked out for him in the summer. Defensively he was on fire, starting attacking moves with well-timed tackles and producing the aforementioned block to bail out Onana. Block of the Season will never catch on as an award, but if it did, Ugarte would be in with a good shout.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7
United’s most dangerous attacker on the night, Garnacho was a willing runner down the left and enjoyed a feisty battle with Alexander Djiku.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
He last played in attacking midfield four years ago and that only lasted until the interval. This time round he made it to 55 minutes, and it’s doubtful Ten Hag will try it again. It wasn’t a total disaster but Mazraoui never looked comfortable, and he also had one or two shaky moments after reverting to left-back.
Marcus Rashford (booked) – 6 (Antony, 73)
His best moment came in the first half when he cut in from the right and curled a left-footed effort narrowly wide of the post. Rashford did his best to run in behind but the service to him could have been better, paritcularly from the man listed below.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5 (Hojlund, 55)
It’s hard work to notch an assist and still get 5/10 but Zirkzee managed it. His lay-off to Eriksen was a simple one, and after that his performance was characterised by sloppy passes and a lack of attacking threat.
SUBS
Casemiro – 6
Started an attack with a good sliding tackle on his cameo appearance.
Rasmus Hojlund – 6
Showed more than Zirkzee with a good run and shot on target, though the effort was tame.
Antony – N/A
The late substitute had to be stretchered off injured.
Amad Diallo – N/A
A late addition.
