Jose Mourinho has put more pressure on Erik ten Hag by claiming that Manchester United are favourites to win the Europa League and playing down Fenerbahce’s chances of beating his old club in Istanbul on Thursday night.
United arrive in Turkey on Wednesday to face the third game of their European campaign having drawn the opening two matches against FC Twente and Mourinho’s old club Porto. Ten Hag’s side are also struggling in the Premier League having won three of their opening eight games.
Mourinho suggested that United have been more patient with Ten Hag than they were with him during a two-and-a-half-year stint in which he won the Europa League and League Cup, which puts the Dutchman’s lack of progress in even sharper focus.
‘What happened for sure, because it's very objective, is they keep faith in the coach, they support the coach,’ said Mourinho. ‘The coach is staying season after season and that means stability, it means trust and they are giving him conditions to keep developing his job. That was different in relation to me.
‘They didn't win and didn't lose (in the Europa League). To play in Porto is not easy. Is not easy for anybody. We also played against Twente. Of course, the world expects Man United to beat Twente at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho has claimed that Manchester United are favourites to win the Europa League
‘One thing is the results Man United are having and another thing is the potential of the team. The potential of the team is high and I think two draws in the Europa League don't favour us, but also doesn't make a huge difference.
‘This new format will allow the top teams to qualify. No problem for a top team to lose three or four matches out of eight, because then they win three or four: 12 points. I think they are in a stable situation. Which are the two biggest candidates to win the Europa League? It's easy: Man United and Tottenham.’
On Thursday’s game, Mourinho also shifted the pressure onto Ten Hag by claiming his side will be underdogs. Fenerbahce currently lie fourth in the Turkish Super Lig, eight points behind leaders and bitter rivals Galatasaray having played a game less.
‘I'm not the coach of Man United, but I don't see any reason for Man United to be afraid of Fenerbahce,’ said Mourinho. ‘I think they know it's not an easy game for them. If they think it's easy, if they come thinking it's going to be easy, it's the wrong approach.
Manager Erik ten Hag is under pressure following his side's poor start to the season
‘Unfortunately for us, they know the game can be difficult for them and they will come with maximum strength. I don't think they will make rotations for the next match against West Ham, I think they will come full strength.
‘When we play Man United, we need 35,000. We cannot play 11 v 11, we need 35,000 (fans) behind us.’