Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag sends message to Jose Mourinho after Rasmus Hojlund admission

Erik ten Hag, boosted by Manchester United’s weekend win against Brentford, believes that things are on the up as he prepares for trip to Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce

Jose Mourinho has the prospect of this week inflicting more pain on one of his past employers when Manchester United visit Fenerbahce on Thursday evening.

Yet Erik Ten Hag has been boosted by United’s comeback win against Brentford on Saturday afternoon following a fortnight of speculation around his job security.

And with Rasmus Hojlund, helped by assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy’s finishing advice, scoring at Old Trafford things are beginning to look a little brighter for United.

Here are the big stories from in and around Old Trafford over the past 24 hours.

Mourinho verdict

Erik ten Hag has described Jose Mourinho as “an example” for other managers to follow before Manchester United ’s Europa League trip to Fenerbahce on Thursday night.

And the under pressure United boss, in jovial mood after being presented with an award by the Football Writers’ Association following last season’s FA Cup win, admitted: “It’s a big game for both of us.”

Former United boss Mourinho has led Fenerbahce to fourth place in the Turkish league, despite being defeated by biggest rivals Galatasaray last month, and they have taken four points from their opening two European games.

But Ten Hag is full of admiration.

Ruud influence

Rasmus Hojlund has hailed the influence of Ruud van Nistelrooy after harnessing some of the Dutchman’s finishing prowess.

The former Atalanta striker scored his second goal of the season in the weekend’s comeback victory against Brentford. Hojlund netted with a brilliant chip to complete the turnaround after Alejandro Garnacho’s equaliser.

The Dane’s strike was a finish certainly befitting of Van Nistelrooy at his peak. And Hojlund has been full of praise for his new coach since his return to Old Trafford.

And Hojlund explained more here.

Shearer warning

Alan Shearer has warned Erik ten Hag that his Manchester United side must keep up good results or risk being heavily scrutinised further.

Shearer – who memorably didn’t hold back in a tense interview with Ten Hag just after United had won the FA Cup back in May – has warned that criticism of Ten Hag will continue unless the Red Devils keep on improving and getting results.

“They did really, really well yesterday, but you’ve got to keep that up,” Shearer admitted after United’s Brentford win on The Rest is Football podcast.

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