Defeat would draw parallels with the last season United went out of Europe by Christmas, facing a backlash many thought would cost Alex Ferguson his job
Underwhelming results on both domestic and European fronts. An ageing, totemic club captain creating unwanted headlines. Controversy over the public criticism of players. A megalomaniac, authoritarian manager some observers believe to be past his sell-by date and in danger of losing the plot. To say that Manchester United are anywhere near crisis point as they fight for their survival in the Europa League would be overstating the case but it is noteworthy that the side preparing for Thursday’s crucial match against Feyenoord does have plenty in common with the most recent version of the club to exit European competition in ignominy before Christmas. Should they lose against Feyenoord and Fenerbahce beat Zorya, United will be bounced out of Europe before the festive season for the first time in more than a decade. On that occasion there were no shortage of distress flares to be seen in the sky over Old Trafford.
While many United fans have argued that early elimination from the Europa League might not be cause to reach for the smelling salts, the furious reaction of José Mourinho to what he described as his team’s lazy effort in defeat against Fenerbahce suggests he might not necessarily agree with them. As well as offering backdoor entry into the Champions League during a season in which his team have so far come up short in their attempts to navigate the usual course, failure to progress to the knockout stages of European football’s second tier competition would be a conspicuous one for a manager hardly renowned for his magnanimity towards those who specialise in, or even flirt with, lack of success.
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