Manchester United claimed a draw against Fenerbahce in the Europa Conference League as Christian Eriksen’s goal was cancelled out by Youssef En-Nesyri and Jose Mourinho was sent off
Alejandro Garnacho could not hide his fury during Manchester United’s draw with Fenerbahce.
With the scores level after Christian Eriksen’s opening goal had been cancelled out by Youssef En-Nesyri, Garnacho perhaps planned to prove the difference-maker, and on one occasion Joshua Zirkzee denied him that opportunity. When hoping for play to move quickly, the Dutchman proved ponderous.
His pass was slow, underhit and misplaced when United’s winger wanted the ball played ahead of him. Zirkzee, who has just one goal to his name this season, had already provided the assist for Eriksen to open the scoring but could not reach the hour-mark before being replaced by Rasmus Hojlund.
The ex-Bologna forward had been a surprise recall to the side after Hojlund netted against Brentford. Garnacho may have been left scratching his head at Erik ten Hag’s decision in his moment of anger.
Hojlund started and scored against the Bees in a 74-minute outing. The Dane had only played 69 minutes across two games on international duty but was chosen to not start against Turkish opposition while seven other players did retain their place.
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho believes he knows why the 23-year-old striker started ahead of Hojlund. “I think I know what he tried,” said the red-carded manager.
“With Zirkzee they wanted to see if I press him when he drops. If I don’t go they have one extra player, if I go they try to create space for Garnacho and Rashford. I think strategically was good.”
Ex-United midfielder Paul Schole was among the contingent surprised by the decision however. The TNT Sports pundit spoke highly of the Denmark international’s development in recent weeks, and struggled to see where goals would come from without the forward in the side.
Scholes said: “Zirkzee comes in for Hojlund and I am with Owen [Hargreaves], I was really impressed with Hojlund especially the last couple of weeks, I think he is becoming a real threat, a real centre-forward showing real quality in that game on Saturday, a brilliant goal, so to be leaving him out of this game is disappointing and it is hard to see where the goals are going to come from.”
Hojlund was unable to prove the difference in the final half hour in Istanbul however. The 21-year-old had few opportunities and could only muster a tame effort when driving at the opposition penalty area after 75 minutes when Garnacho was an option, as United failed to capitalise on their pressure.
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