Erik ten Hag responds to Mourinho: 'He will succeed, and so will we'

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United's manager, addressed the press on Wednesday ahead of the much-anticipated Europa League clash between his side and José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe.

The encounter, set to take place in Istanbul, will mark Mourinho’s reunion with his former club, where he enjoyed success from 2016 to 2018. The match carries extra weight, as both teams aim to gain momentum in the group stage.

In his pre-match comments, Mourinho drew attention to Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford, highlighting how the Dutchman is in his third consecutive season at the club. Mourinho saw this as a sign of “stability and trust,” a situation that contrasted with his own time at the helm of Manchester United, where he departed after a turbulent spell despite delivering significant trophies, including the Europa League in 2017.

When Ten Hag was asked about Mourinho's remarks, he responded with a respectful nod to the Portuguese manager’s achievements at United but emphasized that his own success, particularly in domestic competitions, also deserves recognition. Under Ten Hag’s leadership, United ended a six-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup and the League Cup, breaking a dry spell that had persisted since Mourinho’s Europa League triumph.

“We’ve won domestic cups since he [Mourinho] left,” Ten Hag noted. “It’s a new format, we’re two games in with two points, and we know we need to win games. We’re just getting started this season, and we’re confident that we’re capable of winning games in the Premier League and Europa League.”

Despite the mutual respect, Ten Hag acknowledged the ongoing pressure of managing a top club like Manchester United, especially in a highly competitive era. “Mourinho and I have won many trophies in recent years, but you have to prove yourself every year. When you don’t win, you’re always criticized. We know we have enough experience, and professional football is about winning games. If not, there’s criticism,” he remarked.

As the focus shifted to Thursday’s encounter, Ten Hag expressed his determination to secure a crucial win against Fenerbahçe. However, he also warned that it would be a tough challenge, noting the quality of the Turkish side. United will be without their captain, Bruno Fernandes, who will serve a suspension following his red card in the dramatic 3-3 draw against FC Porto.

Reflecting on Fenerbahçe’s squad, Ten Hag highlighted several key players who would make the game particularly intriguing. Many of these players have close ties to Manchester United and to Ten Hag himself. “Fenerbahçe is a very good team with many good players. We know some of them: Fred, who was with United for a long time, is very experienced, and we won the League Cup with him. Amrabat, we won the FA Cup with him [last season], also very experienced, and he performed very well at the [2022] World Cup,” Ten Hag explained.

One of the more significant connections lies with Dusan Tadic, a player with whom Ten Hag shares a rich history. The Dutch coach and the Serbian playmaker enjoyed great success together during their time at Ajax, where they won several titles, including the Eredivisie and reached the semifinals of the Champions League. “Dusan Tadic, I had a long history with him at Ajax, and we won many titles together,” Ten Hag fondly recalled.

The presence of these experienced players, combined with Mourinho’s tactical expertise, makes Fenerbahçe a formidable opponent. Ten Hag acknowledged this, stating, “They have many good players and an experienced coach, so it’s a very strong team. We won’t underestimate them, but we’ll play our own game. We love playing in these kinds of environments, and we can’t wait for this challenge.”

The upcoming match not only represents a key fixture in the Europa League campaign but also serves as a symbolic meeting between two managers with a shared history at Manchester United. While Mourinho will be looking to prove a point against his former club, Ten Hag remains focused on building on the foundations he has laid during his time in charge, with the ultimate goal of European success.

United’s fans will be watching closely as Ten Hag’s team faces a crucial test in Istanbul. With familiar faces on both sides, and the added storyline of Mourinho’s return, the stage is set for a compelling contest. Ten Hag, however, remains calm and optimistic, determined to keep Manchester United on their upward trajectory as they seek to make their mark in both domestic and European football this season.