Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Fenerbahce could line up for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Manchester United.
Fenerbahce are set to be without at least five injured players for Thursday’s Europa League clash against Manchester United at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
Left-back Jayden Oosterwolde ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a 2-2 draw with Samsunspor in the Turkish Super Lig last weekend and is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while ex-Leicester City winger Cengiz Under is nursing a groin problem.
Ismail Yuksek (shoulder), Bright Osayi-Samuel (foot) and Irfan Can Egribayat (muscle) are also in the treatment room, while Filip Kostic, Oguz Aydin, Bartug Elmaz and Levent Mercan have all been left out of the club’s Europa League squad.
Jose Mourinho is having to deal with a defensive dilemma and could be forced to select either Mert Muldur or ex-Man United midfielder Fred at left-back in the absence of Oosterwolde, with Alexander Djiku potentially moving over to right-back. Caglar Soyuncu could therefore partner Rodrigo Becao in central defence.
If Fred is not deployed at left-back, he could operate in a deep-lying midfield role alongside another former Red Devil, Sofyan Amrabat, with Sebastian Szymanski set to continue in an advanced midfield position.
With Kostic unavailable for selection, former Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin could be recalled to start on the left flank, unless Mourinho opts to move in-form playmaker Dusan Tadic over to the left and hand a start to Irfan Kahveci on the right.
Youssef En-Nesyri has started up front in both of Fenerbahce’s opening two Europa League games this term and could continue in attack ahead of ex-Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, 38, who has scored five goals in seven Turkish Super Lig starts.
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup: Livakovic; Djiku, Soyuncu, Becao, Muldur; Amrabat, Fred; Tadic, Szymanski, Saint-Maximin; En-Nesyri
> Click here to see how Manchester United could line up for this contest
No Data Analysis info