Erik ten Hag in confident mood as Man Utd target rare European victory

Erik ten Hag is confident Manchester United can secure an all too rare European win despite heading into the febrile atmosphere at Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce with 10 players missing.

One of the continent’s mightiest clubs have performed meekly on the European stage of late and started the new-look Europa League group phase with back-to-back draws against Twente and Porto.

Those results mean United have won just one of their last 10 matches in continental competitions, with that poor record compounded by the fact they head to Istanbul without a string of first-team players.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is out of Thursday’s game through suspension, while Jonny Evans’ knock against Brentford means he joins fellow defenders Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw on the sidelines.

Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Dan Gore and Toby Collyer are also absent from the 20-man squad in Turkey through injury, but Ten Hag is confident his side can cope.

“Yes, of course (am confident),” he said at the team hotel. “The players who are available have to do the job and they are capable of doing the job.

“It is complicated (with the injury situation) but it is never easy. We have to deal with it and we will deal with it.

“As a team we have to cover many games in a short time and we will do that the best as possible.

“We have to progress. I think we made a good step (by beating Brentford 2-1) and now we have to follow up tomorrow and then go again on Sunday (at West Ham).

“But players like to play football instead of doing training, so for the players it’s the best way.

“There are so many games coming up. As long as you have enough players available and construct a team and don’t have to go into big injury risk, then it’s the best to