Mourinho sees red as Fenerbahçe draw with Man Utd

Reuters

Fenerbahçe coach Jose Mourinho was sent off as his side drew 1-1 with his former club Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday after Christian Eriksen’s early goal was cancelled out by Youssef En-Nesyri.

Joshua Zirkzee found Eriksen with a short pass and the Danish midfielder put United ahead in the 15th minute with a powerful first-time shot from the edge of the area.

United keeper Andre Onana pulled off a stunning acrobatic double save just before halftime to deny Fenerbahçe and keep the dominant hosts from equalising.

However, Onana couldn't stop En-Nesyri four minutes after the break as he headed in Allan Saint-Maximin's perfect cross to level the score for Fenerbahçe.

Mourinho was shown a red card just before the hour mark after a heated dispute with the referee that seemingly included some colourful language.

The closing minutes were largely uneventful, although United substitute Antony had to be taken off on a stretcher, adding to their mounting injury concerns.

United have three points after drawing their opening three games in the competition while unbeaten Fenerbahçe have five points.

Mourinho and the referee

After the match, Mourinho wryly congratulated the referee who sent him off as one of the best in the world.

"The referee told me something incredible. He said at the same time he could see the action in the box and my behaviour on the touchline," the Portuguese told TNT Sports.

"I congratulate him because he is absolutely incredible. During the game, 100 miles per hour, he had one eye on the penalty situation and one eye on my behaviour on the bench."

"That is why he is the one of the best referees in the world."

The Portuguese, was full of praise for his side, who he said were the better team on the night.

"We played amazing. If we play like this in the Turkish league we destroy everything because of course we played against a team with a superior level than us," he said.

"We had injuries. We had to do a crazy puzzle. Our performance was extraordinary. I could not ask any more from the players.

"I know English media will say United didn't play well but I think it would be fair to say we did an extraordinary match and we were better than them. A good result for Man Utd," added Mourinho, who was sacked by the English club in 2018.

United manager Erik ten Hag was disappointed with the result, with his side having now won one of their last 11 matches in European competitions.

"Of course when you are taking the lead, it (drawing) shouldn’t happen, we had chances to make a second goal. Disappointed not to win," he said.

"Fenerbahçe are a very good club, with very good fans and some good players. It would be a very good final. We should keep the ball better in the first half."

"They are a good team with a good manager. It is not a bad point. But we want to win. We want to win every game."