Jose Mourinho aims dig at Erik ten Hag ahead of Man Utd reunion

Manchester United will face Fenerbahce on Thursday as they go in search of their first Europa League win of the season, having started the league phase with frustrating draws against FC Twente and FC Porto.

Erik ten Hag’s team face a tough test with Fenerbahce currently managed by their former manager, Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho is gearing up to face his former team for the fifth time since his 2018 sacking on Thursday. The Portuguese reunion with United – the club he coached from the summer of 2016 to the end of 2018 is also a hot topic.

During an appearance at the FWA Northern Managers’ Awards dinner on Sunday night, Ten Hag expressed his excitement to do battle with Mourinho.

“It’s a big game for both of us… he is a winner, he’s won so many trophies, I think he’s an example for many, many managers so I really enjoy to play against them,” the Dutchman explained.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Mourinho will be expecting a tough test with Manchester United eager to get back to winning ways in Europe.

A loss for United will apply further pressure on Ten Hag from United boss. As fans anticipate Mourinho’s media session, the 61-year-old threw shade at Ten Hag at the end of last season.

While appearing on TNT Sports’ coverage of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, Mourinho slammed Ten Hag on how Sancho’s issue was handled.

“As a player, we know his talent. We saw what he could do, there are no doubts about it,” Mourinho told Laura Woods and Rio Ferdinand pitchside.

“What happened at Man United? If I look at my own history, I see that sometimes I failed with players. Sometimes, I couldn’t create the right empathy.

“I couldn’t understand the player’s DNA, and I couldn’t help players grow up in the right direction. The majority of times, yes, I did it, but on some occasions, I couldn’t.

“I think sometimes we have to learn with experiences, which I tried always to do, to try to understand the nature of the player. Sometimes they have the talent but don’t have the mindset you want from a player.

“For sure, the kid [Sancho] made mistakes, that’s for sure, but for sure his manager was not able to get the best out of him.”