Manchester United wilted on a hostile night in Turkey, with Wayne Rooney’s historic 38th European goal counting for little as Fenerbahçe’s stunning strikes gave Jose Mourinho another headache.
The mightily frustrating goalless draw at home to Burnley was followed by news that the Portuguese’s behaviour towards the officials on Saturday would not only dent his wallet but sees him banned from the touchline at Swansea this weekend.
Those issues were compounded on Thursday night as United failing to win a seventh straight European away match, with Fenerbahçe deservedly winning 2-1 as the visitors failed to add to Rooney’s late stunner.
The captain’s strike saw him equal Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record as United’s all-time European top scorer, but it was too late to spur a comeback in a match that was just 65 seconds old when Moussa Sow scored with a superb overhead kick.
Fenerbahçe players, helped by the baying Sukru Saracoglu Stadium crowd, continued to make life uncomfortable for United, who lost world-record signing Paul Pogba after 30 minutes following a heavy challenge.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was fortunate that his altercation with Simon Kjaer was missed by officials as tempers frayed, with Jeremain Lens, on loan from Sunderland, adding to United’s problems with a superb second-half free-kick.
Rooney’s wondrous 89th-minute drive led to a frantic ending, but Fenerbahçe held out to secure a memorable victory that sees them usurp United in the Group A qualification spots.
Nigeria forward, Emmanuel Emenike, a second half replacement for Volkan Sen, even came close to adding to the advantage of the home side.
The former West Ham loanee could not beat David De Gea having been unsteadied by Daley Blind, before forcing the Spaniard into a save from distance and then just missing a low cross.
Mourinho’s United must get their house in order before the trip to Wales to face Swansea in the Premier League on Sunday.
