‘Fuel for the team’ – Ten Hag not concerned about hostile Fenerbahce atmosphere

Erik ten Hag is convinced his team can handle the intense atmosphere that they will experience in Istanbul on Thursday night when the take on Fenerbahce in the Europa League.

The Reds landed in Turkey on Wednesday evening ahead of the match. Ten Hag travelled without 10 senior players through injury and suspension.

In his pre-match press conference, Jose Mourinho warned his former club about the atmosphere they will face in the 47,000-capacity Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

Mourinho will hope his Fenerbahce side can spoil the night for United, knowing that Ten Hag is in desperate need of a Europa League win after opening the campaign with two draws against FC Twente and Porto.

Ten Hag told reporters (via ManUtd.com): “We have enough players in the team who are so experienced. We have faced such situations more often, so I think we are looking forward (to it).

“It will be a great ambience but that is fuel for the team. It’s a real challenge and motivation and it’s really good for us. The players who are available have to do a job – and they are capable of doing the job.

“We will not underestimate them – but we also won’t overestimate them. We must play our own game. We love to play in this environment and we are really looking forward to it because every professional footballer likes these challenges.”

Erik ten Hag has respect for Jose Mourinho

The reporters at Ten Hag’s press conference wanted to push him into badmouthing Mourinho, but the Dutchman had too much respect for the Portuguese coach to fall for their traps.

Ten Hag refused to get drawn into a war of words by saying: “We have won domestic cups after he (Mourinho) left, but Man United didn’t win in Europe. So for us it’s a target and what we want to achieve – and it’s a big target for us this season.

“Of course, we have to qualify, we have to win games. It’s a new set-up and we have two games underway and two points. We know what we have to do – we have to win games.

“This season has just started and we have two draws. In the first season I think we won a lot of European games. Last season, domestically and in Europe it was a difficult journey.

“But we are confident that we can do it, to win games in the Premier League and in Europe.”

He added: “Both Mourinho and I have won a lot of trophies in the last years, but you have to prove yourself every year – and when you don’t win then there is always criticism.

“We know that and we are experienced enough. Professional football is about winning games – and when you don’t win games then criticism is coming.

“But at the end of the day, it’s about how you are at the end of the year. Mourinho is so experienced he will lead his team to their best form.

“We are convinced that we are going in the right direction, that we are following the right path, and we will achieve what our targets are.”