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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Man United v Fenerbahce, Europa League

Untied returned to winning way thanks in part to a double from Paul Pogba.

Good evening and welcome to our coverage of Manchester United’s Europa League group stage tie against Fenerbahce. Team news to follow.

Jose Mourinho has made seven changes to the team that secured a goalless draw at Anfield on Monday.

David De Gea, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Paul Pogba are the only players to keep their places while Wayne Rooney returns along with Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.

While for the visitors Robin van Persie leads the attack on his return to Old Trafford.

There is also a familiar name in the heart of the Turkish side’s defence with Martin Skrtel expecting a far from warm welcome in Manchester.

Here is how the group looks after two rounds of matches:

Europa League group

This what the United manager had to say yesterday in the middle of a hectic schedule for his side:

“It’s a very difficult week for us. Monday, Thursday, Sunday; Liverpool, Fenerbahce, Chelsea. It’s a special week. We have to be ready.

“If we play with a team that is not good and strong, we won’t have a chance. We will play a really good team knowing two days later we have to play again.”

There’s no Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the matchday squad despite the Mourinho confirming the midfielder was fit to play following a thigh injury.

Feels along time ago now.

What kind of reception will the former United striker receive tonight?

Manchester United v Fenerbahce SK - UEFA Europa League - Group A - Old Trafford Mike Egerton Mike Egerton

The teams have taken to the field at Old Trafford. Over 70,000 fans expected to be in attendance for this one.

Fenerbahce are languishing in ninth place in the Turkish league at the moment.

Dick Advocaat’s side have won just two of their opening seven league games, drawing another three.

We’re underway in Manchester.

Scrappy start to the game so far. Some long passes going astray from the home side. Fenerbahce happy to sit back at the moment.

Not much happening right now. United enjoying over 80% of the ball. Rooney is leading the line at the moment with Mata just behind. Martial is to the left and Lingard to the right of the front four.

Martin Skrtel undercover tonight:

Manchester United v Fenerbahce SK - UEFA Europa League - Group A - Old Trafford Mike Egerton Mike Egerton

Fenerbahce enjoying their first bit of pressure in United’s half but an attempted pass from Topal is too long while Mata’s diagonal ball to Martial suffers a similar fate.

Much better from the home side. Pogba, Mata and Martial link-up down the left flank but Martial’s cross is cut out before it reaches Rooney.

Moments earlier Pogba had a goal-bound shot from the edge of the box headed clear from Skrtel.

It’s very quiet here at the moment. The crowd are waiting for something to happen – like the rest of us.

For those who followed United’s last Europa League game with us, when they took on Zorya, you’ll remember it wasn’t until the second-half until we had a shot on target.

So far, this is matching it for the quality. Judging by their early play, Mourinho’s men don’t seem to want to be in the Europa League.

CHANCE: First bit of quality in the game.

Mata curls in a teasing ball from the edge of the box but Martial storming in at the far post fails to make contact.

Lack of precision at the moment from the home side.

Darmian’s cross is too long but Martial manages to keep the ball alive before it falls to Pogba but his effort fails to trouble the target.

Penalty for Man United!

Sloppy tackle from Kjaer in the box on Mata following a fine pass from Carrick.

GOAL! Man United 1-0 Fenerbahce (Pogba P 31′)

The Frenchman does his best Zaza impression in the run-up but Pogba sends the goalkeeper the wrong way and slots the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.

Another penalty for United.

Mata the provider this time as Martial is tripped from behind by Ozbayrakli.

GOAL: Man United 2-0 Fenerbahce (Martial P 34′)

Martial who won the penalty, makes it two from the spot.

Demirel in the Turkish side’s goal goes the right way this time, but the power and accuracy is too much for the goalkeeper to prevent United doubling their lead.

SAVE: de Gea there when called upon for the home side.

De Souza shows great composure in the box to cut inside Bailly, but he can’t beat the Manchester United goalkeeper at his near post.

It’s been a decent response from Fenerbahce.

They realistically need to get the next goal of the game to have any chance of getting anything from this match though.

One minute to be added on at the end of this half.

GOAL: Man United 3-0 Fenerbahce (Pogba 45′)

Beautiful finish from Pogba as he nets his second of the game on the stroke of half-time.

Lingard finds Pogba on the edge of the box and the world’s most expensive footballer superbly curls the ball past Demirel in the Fenerbahce goal.

Good work too by Rooney who initially won the ball back after some typical closing down.

HT: Man United 3-0 Fenerbahce

The half-time scoreline flatters the home side somewhat but you won’t hear Mourinho complaining.

Half-time change for United with Rojo replacing Smalling.

Fenerbahce look like they are going to go for it in the second period with forward Emenike replacing defender Kjaer.

Here we go with the second 45 minutes.

GOAL: Man United 4-0 Fenerbahce (Lingard 48′)

I think this goal may be better than Pogba’s effort.

Jesse Lingard with a lovely low swerving effort that finds the bottom corner of the Fenerbahce goal.

Pogba had broken up the play in midfield with Rooney teeing up the England international to coolly slot home.

United’s fourth attempt has resulted in their fourth goal.

CLOSE: van Persie is agonisingly close to getting a goal on his return.

Emenike does well to hold up the ball for the former United man, and van Persie then shifts the ball to his preferred right foot but fails to get enough bend on the ball as de Gea looks helplessly on.

Perhaps his best night in a Manchester United shirt so far:

Manchester United v Fenerbahce - UEFA Europa League - Group A - Old Trafford PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Second change for United with Depay replacing Lingard.

Depay has 25 minutes to impress Mourinho. He showed his best form for the club in this competition last season.

SUB: Koybasi replaces Sen for the visitors.

Final change for United: No hat-trick for Pogba who is withdrawn in favour of Fosu-Mensah.

The game is petering out somewhat here as Koybasi’s header flashes past de Gea’s post. Should have hit the target.

CHANCE: Mata should have been five.

Carrick finds Depay, who in turn puts Mata clear through on goal but the Spaniard’s tame effort is saved by the onrushing Demirel.

He has enjoyed tonight. Europa League may not be so bad after all.

Manchester United v Fenerbahce SK - UEFA Europa League - Group A - Old Trafford Mike Egerton Mike Egerton

GOAL: Man United 4-1 Fenerbahce (van Persie 83′)

He had to score, didn’t he?

Van Persie’s goal is greeted by a warm round of applause from the home crowd – and it was a fine goal too.

A diagonal ball finds the lively Emenike and the Nigerian pings in a delicious cross that leaves the former United man with an unmissable opportunity.

SAVE: Fosu-Mensah with a shot from distance that is easily gathered by Demirel.

Two minutes added on at the end of the match.

FT: Man United 4-1 Fenerbahce 

United go joint-top of Group A after a convincing victory over their Turkish opponents.

Plenty of encouraging signs for Mourinho to ponder ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea.

We will have all the reaction throughout the evening.

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