Manchester United’s trip to Fenerbahce on Thursday will be a day of reunions.
The Turkish team has many familiar faces in its squad, but it is in the box where one of the most recognizable characters in world football will sit. Former United manager Jose Mourinho will face United for the first time since 2021, seeking revenge against his former employers.
Here are seven Fenerbahce stars Erik ten Hag’s side need to watch out for ahead of Thursday’s game.
Since leaving Southampton in 2018, Dusan Tadic has been on an absolute tear. He amassed 105 goals and 112 assists in 241 games for Ajax before taking his talents to Fenerbahce in 2023. He had 16 goals and 16 assists last season.
This year, Tadic tops the goals and assists charts, dazzling in a right-wing role that European teams have so far failed to tackle.
united They are noticeably weak on the left at the moment, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia still not fit. Fortunately, in Erik ten Hag, they have the coach who propelled Tadic on this rampant run of form six years ago. If anyone should be able to stop the Serbian international, it’s him.
You probably won’t need an introduction to Edin Dzeko, but maybe a gentle reminder that he’s now scoring goals for Fenerbahce.
Dzeko, formerly of Manchester City, left Inter on a free in 2023 to head to Istanbul, and has started this season with nine goals in 14 games. The 38-year-old may not be the athlete he used to be, but it’s clear his eye for goal hasn’t disappeared.
He has fond memories of facing United, having scored nine times in 11 meetings with the Red Devils during his time with City, Roma and Wolfsburg.
Like Dzeko, Allan Saint-Maximin is a well-known star who made a switch to the radar at Fenerbahce.
The former Newcastle United winger left Europe to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in 2023 but lasted just 12 months before agitating for a return, with Fenerbahce keen to extend the opportunity last summer.
Saint-Maximin’s tricky dribbling and love of style has resulted in two goals and three assists so far this season from the left winger.
One of many reunions set to take place on Thursday, Fred left United for Fenerbahce in 2023 and has thoroughly enjoyed his time since the move.
With six goals and 11 assists in 45 appearances heading into this encounter, Fred has become the box-to-box threat United always hoped he would be, even if injuries tried to slow him down last season.
Mourinho has thoroughly enjoyed working with the Brazilian, whose determined and determined style of play would always make him a boss favourite.
Fred’s partnership at the base of Fenerbahce’s midfield is another familiar face in the form of Sofyan Amrabat.
After an underwhelming loan spell with United last season, Amrabat signed a deal with Fenerbahce that will become permanent next summer, with Mourinho happy to take a chance on the Morocco international.
It remains to be seen how Amrabat feels about coming face-to-face with Ten Hag again, but the 28-year-old will likely relish the chance to show the Red Devils what they could have had.
Everyone’s favorite goalkeeper for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, Dominik Livakovic made a surprise move to Fenerbahce in 2023.
He has kept 22 clean sheets for the Turkish giants, showing the immense shot-stopping ability that is helping propel Croatia deep into tournaments.
United have a history of coming up against impenetrable and low-profile goalkeepers, a shout out to Omonia’s Francis Uzoho, and they hope Livakovic doesn’t add his name to the list.
There have always been transfer rumors surrounding Mert Mulder, who he feels was always coming this close to making the move to the Premier League.
The 25-year-old Turkish right-back is a pleasing athlete, able to use speed and strength to get forward and get involved in attacks, as he did for many years during his time at Sassuolo.
The right-sided combination of Muldur and Tadic have caused real problems for defenders this season, and you can guarantee Mourinho will field the two to pick at the bones of United’s weak defence.
