Manchester United laboured to a 2-1 defeat away at Fenerbahce last night, leaving their chances of qualifying for the Europa League knock-out stages hanging in the balance.
Jose Mourinho’s side found themselves a goal down after just 65 seconds when Moussa Sow’s spectacular overhead kick looped over goalkeeper David de Gea, and the visitors never really recovered.
United then found themselves two goals down on the hour mark after another piece of brilliance – this time Jeremain Lens, on loan from Sunderland, with a stunning free-kick which left de Gea rooted to the spot.
Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.
Wayne Rooney did pull a goal back late on for United with a fine 25-yard strike, but defeat for Mourinho’s men leaves them third in Group A, a point behind joint-leaders Feyenoord and Fenerbahce.
The result means that the Red Devils have won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions, and have now failed to win any of their last nine European away games.
However, it was the manner of defeat which has angered many United fans, who took to Twitter to blast their side’s lethargic display in Turkey last night…
https://twitter.com/Nicktosh1/status/794317570140753925
https://twitter.com/TheManUtdWay/status/794267215038185477
Man Utd will be lucky to finish in top 10 in the league this year. Genuinely see no difference in performance from LVG & Moyes reign.#mufc
— S Ramsey (@sramsey794) November 3, 2016
A few United supporters suggested that they expected such a woeful display…
Am I only one who wasn't surprised by either the performance or result??#MUFC
Our defence is in shambles & attack w/o Zlatan needs games…— ManUtd_Rambler! (@ManUtd_Rambler) November 4, 2016
Worse thing about this abject Man Utd performance is I'm not surprised
— James Windsor (@jamesdanw) November 3, 2016
… while one fan asked where the passion was from the players…
So angry with Man Utd performance last night…where is the passion in the team???
— qim (@haqimdanial43) November 4, 2016
Some are even beginning to question whether Mourinho is the right man for the job, given his record thus far is no better than predecessors Louis van Gaal and David Moyes…
https://twitter.com/ChaaiP/status/794392049818550272
Mourinho is still retaining d Man Utd job because of his reputation, his performance has been abysmal.
— Bright igbins (@brightdestar) November 3, 2016