(Reuters) – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is confident his side are strong enough to win at Turkish side Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday despite missing several key players.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is serving a one-match ban after being shown a red card in their 3-3 draw with Porto and fellow midfielder Mason Mount is also unavailable through injury.
“I think we have enough experienced players in the squad… We’ve been in situations like this before,” Ten Hag told reporters on Wednesday.
“The players that are available have to do the job and they are capable of doing the job,” the coach added of Mount’s absence. “I think it’s going to be a little bit longer, that’s what we expected.”
Defender Jonny Evans is also ruled out after picking up a knock in their 2-1 Premier League win over Brentford on Saturday.
“As long as you have players available enough that you can construct a team, and that you don’t have to go into big risks, injury risks, then it’s the best to play games, and at this moment we are still okay… hopefully we don’t get many more injuries,” Ten Hag said.
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo are also sidelined.
Ten Hag was happy with the team’s performance against Brentford.
“I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere, it’s fuel for the team and it’s a real challenge, it’s motivation, it’s really good for us,” he added.
United, who finished eighth in the Premier League last season, sit 12th in the table with 11 points and three wins from eight games.
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, has labelled his former club, along with Tottenham Hotspur, as favourites to win the Europa League because the Premier League is on a different level to other European leagues.
“Mourinho, so experienced, he will lead his team to his best form, and will be successful, and so we will be. We are convinced that we are in the right direction, that we follow the right path, and we will achieve what our targets are,” Ten Hag added.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City, editing by Ed Osmond)
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