UEL: Ten Hag Aims for 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 over as head coach of the Turkish club in June after his departure from Roma.

The Portuguese manager is among the most decorated in football history, and although his time at United from 2016 to 2018 was controversial, he secured both the League Cup and the Europa League.

With United under pressure after drawing their first two matches in this season’s Europa League, Ten Hag is eager to challenge Mourinho 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 guiding United to FA Cup victory at the end of last season, Ten Hag is once again facing intense scrutiny following a disappointing start to this campaign, as the team sits 11th in the Premier League with only three wins in eight matches.

However, the Dutchman acknowledges that such pressure is part of the job.

“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 alleviated on Saturday when United came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory against Brentford at Old Trafford, with Rasmus Hojlund netting the winning goal.

After displaying promise in a fragmented first season with United, Hojlund has faced a series of injuries this season, and his goal at the weekend marked his first in the Premier League since May.

Now that Hojlund is approaching full fitness, Ten Hag is confident that the 21-year-old Dane will continue to thrive.

“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.”