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Manchester United vs. Fenerbahce: Score, Reaction from 2016 Europa League Match
- Updated: October 20, 2016
Paul Pogba scored twice as Manchester United hammered Fenerbahce 4-1 at Old Trafford in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. Pogba and United’s goal rush moved them above Fenerbahce into second in Group A, but Feyenoord still lead the way after beating the Red Devils on the first matchday.
The world’s most expensive player bagged a brace, with Anthony Martial adding a strike in between, as United built a 3-0 lead at the break. Jesse Lingard then scored in the early minutes of the second half as United threatened to run riot.
However, the only other goal came from returning hero Robin van Persie, who netted Fenerbahce’s consolation inside the final 10 minutes. The former United and Arsenal striker was cheered by the home crowd in a worthy show of appreciation and respect.
United manager Jose Mourinho fielded a strong side, with Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian coming in at full-back, while Michael Carrick started in midfield. Yet the biggest surprise was Wayne Rooney’s inclusion as the skipper after his time on the bench, per United’s official Twitter account:
Here’s tonight’s #MUFC team… #UEL pic.twitter.com/etbzZxtWA7
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2016
Mourinho explained his selection while showing respect for the opposition, per the club:
Mourinho on his strong starting XI: “If you don’t respect the quality of teams like Feyenoord and Fenerbahce, you risk not qualifying.” #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2016
One of the notable omissions from United’s lineup was summer signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News expressed concern about the Armenian playmaker’s absence:
The Mkhitaryan mystery deepens. Fit to train and Mourinho said time for him to produce. So what’s happened. And as for Schneiderlin #MUFC
— Stuart Mathieson (@StuMathiesonMEN) October 20, 2016
The Fenerbahce XI featured more than one familiar face, as Van Persie was joined …
