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United have named their starting XI. Rooney and Schneiderlin both play, while Mkhitaryan makes the bench.
Meanwhile, Robin van Persie is only a substitute for Fenerbahce.
You can also follow our liveblog of tonight’s other big game in the Europa League — Zenit St Petersburg v Dundalk — here.
We’re underway…
FENERBAHCE 1-0 MAN UNITED (SOW 2)
It’s unbelievable goal that’s given Fenerbahce the lead.
A cross is floated into the box and Moussa Sow‘s incredible bicycle kick from the edge of the box finds the back of the net.
Premier League fans will be familiar with 69-year-old Fenerbahce coach Dick Advocaat, who guided Sunderland to safety the season beore last.
There’s a nervy moment in the Fenerbahce penalty area, as a ball from a corner in goes loose, but Martin Skrtel is ultimately on hand to clear.
The hosts look well organised and United are finding it difficult to break them down at the moment.
Pogba has gone down in agony following a late challenge on him.
He’s currently limping off for treatment, but it looks like he’ll be okay to continue.
Martial plays an excellent ball through to Rooney.
The England striker is just onside, but his heavy touch allows Skrtel to intercept.
Pogba is still moving quite awkwardly.
As I type, Lens escapes the attentions of Luke Shaw and heads a well-executed cross just wide.
Mata and Mkhitaryan are both warming up.
It looks like Pogba is trying to run off whatever injury he picked up.
With the pacy Sow breathing down his neck, Blind does really well to control the bouncing ball and clear.
Meanwhile, as I type, Pogba starts walking off the pitch. Ibrahimovic will replace the injured Frenchman.
Fenerbahce are looking menacing on the counter-attack — they have plenty of pace in their attack.
United have had 67% possession so far, but have little to show for it.
Meanwhile, Rooney is now playing as a number 10 in Pogba’s absence, while Ibrahimovic is the main striker.
Half chance for United. Rashford’s crosses and Demirel parries the ball away with Ibrahmovic lurking.
United are looking better and more threatening with the Swede up front.
United are playing at a much higher tempo now, with Fenerbahce looking a little tired and vulnerable all of a sudden.
As I type, however, Kaldirim gets in behind the United defence, but he can’t find anyone with his cross.
Meanwhile, Rooney is limping after a late challenge by Alper.
Rooney shows his frustration as he is penalised for a late challenge on Souza.
There is some heated arguing between both sets of players thereafter, and goalkeeper Demirel gets booked as a result.
Moussa Sow heads just over following an excellent ball into the box.
Fenerbahce have looked threatening on the counter-attack, despite their relative lack of possession in the first half.
HALF-TIME: FENERBAHCE 1-0 MAN UNITED
So half-time and Man United’s struggles in front of goal have continued.
The Red Devils dominated possession, but got off to the worst possible start with Sow’s spectacular goal.
Since then, the hosts have been compact at the back, while sporadically threatening on the counter-attack.
Man United have been better since the introduction of Ibrahimovic, but too often, their attacking build-up play has been laboured and they have struggled to break their opponents down.
The second half is underway…
The second half has followed a similar pattern to the first so far.
United are patiently probing, with Fenerbahce sitting back and looking relatively comfortable.
Decent ball in from Martial, but Rooney’s glancing header goes well wide.
It continues to be a frustrating evening for Jose Mourinho and his side.
There’s a bit of pinball in the United box, before Mata ultimately fires it wide from the edge of the area.
United have created some half chances, but still lack conviction going forward.
FENERBAHCE 2-0 MAN UNITED (LENS 59)
Fenerbahce double their advantage and it’s another superb strike.
Jeremain Lens, the ex-Sunderland player, curls an unstoppable free-kick past David De Gea.
Mourinho’s response is to bring on Mkhitaryan for Rashford.
So close! Fenerbahce break superbly and open up United with three passes.
The substitute Emenike goes through on goal, but a combination of Blind and De Gea cause him to squander the chance and hit it straight at the goalkeeper.
Man United continue to dominate possession but just can’t create clear-cut chances.
This feels no different to the Louis van Gaal era tonight.
Emenike beats the defender Blind and forces a save from De Gea.
The substitute has looked lively since coming on.
Lens breaks down the right and his cross narrowly eludes the sliding boot of Emenike.
Fenerbahce are cutting United open at will now.
Rooney makes the challenge of a frustrated man and fouls Kaldirim.
The crowd are olé-ing passes now, it’s turned into a comfortable win for the hosts.
Martial flashes a shot well wide.
United haven’t used wingers like him or Rashford anywhere near enough tonight — there’s been far too much overly intricate eye-of-a-needle passing.
FENERBAHCE 2-1 MAN UNIYED (ROONEY 89)
Rooney’s been quiet tonight, but he’s just scored a stunning goal.
Out of nothing, he scores his 247th goal in a United shirt, blasting the ball into the top corner from distance under little pressure from the defenders.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time.
Fenerbahce suddenly look very nervy.
As I type, a shot from Herrera is deflected wide, with United players claiming the defender used his hand to block the Spaniard’s shot.
FULL-TIME: FENERBAHCE 2-1 MAN UNITED
Well that’s that. United rallied late on and Rooney showed a glimpse of his old self with that stunning goal, but otherwise there were few positives for United to take from that game.
Fenerbahce were deserving winners — they defended superbly and were clinical in attack when they needed to be.
United, having fielded a relatively strong, were very disappointing ultimately.
Ibrahimovic, Rashford, Martial and — his goal aside — Rooney all underperformed.
The Red Devils look conspicuously short of ideas in attack, and rarely were able to turn their dominance in possession into clear-cut chances.
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Mourinho and to make matters worse, an early Europa League exit now seems like a distinct possibility.
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Please all read your season ticket holder email. Leinster rugby are urging any and all fans to bring a pair of boots and gum shield to the RDS on Sunday.
Crap. Speedy Recovery, Marty.
Bent has pretty much gone down the road of being a lose head. He is no longer considered a TH.
Lose head? That’s a bit harsh
I really wonder if Leinster’s front-row players were adequately prepared during pre-season training, at the province, for the season ahead.
The Ireland set-up may have to take more direct control of Irish players’ pre-season preparations next year, as Leinster’s pre-season preparation has clearly been a disaster which is unravelling all too soon.
Its hardly time for conspiracy theories John. We’ve just go unlucky with a few injuries, really can’t blame Matt O’Connor for that.
Interesting article by Neil Francis in Sunday Indo yesterday. Rugby players popping hamstrings and shoulders like popcorn in last few months – down to the weights program -too much muscle bulk and strain and something has to give … Cian Healy’s hamstring apparently is a catastrophic rupture which is highly irregular and very like the injury Straus suffered. He may also be blowing crap …
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/leinster-rugby/neil-francis-dealing-with-weighty-issue-of-exactly-how-much-is-enough-30656812.html
Something must be wrong. If agree with Francis, there’s no need for Healy to be packing on the beef to the extent he’s done
Neil Francis is not a doctor, physio or authority on anything to do with anatomy, strength or conditioning. There are highly qualified s&c coaches, physios and doctors managing the players. They know far better than Franno what players should and shouldn’t be doing with their weight, gym, exertion etc.
Yes rugby is becoming more physical but we’re going through an incredibly unlucky period. That will change.
I doubt that John. Munster are having a similar issue at hooker…
Francis is anti rugby and loves to slate the sport. He has no backround in any of the stuff he harps on about and anyone who believes a word out of his mouth more than likely believes Santa is real.
Ah Fer FFss
Luke Fitzgerald,Cian Healy,Sean o’brien,Marty Moore,it’s just one significant injury after another for Leinster. Very very frustrating.
All Provinces pick up injuries. Ulster without Touhy,Pienaar,Henderson,Jackson,Marshall. Every club gets its turn.
I know… I follow Leinster…
No province can compete against the top French teams without all their top players.
Andrew Warwick is a player to keep an eye on. Never disappoints and can hold up both ends of the scrum and even shift a bit in the loose.
Fitzpatrick has started one game for Ulster all season which was a defeat against Zebre. Archer was very impressive in the wins against Scarlets and also against Leinster. It’ll be an easy choice for Archer who would be a much better investment as he is about years younger than Fitzpatrick who is also very injury prone and constantly battles with his fitness. Very good scrummager though.
White for Ireland!!!!!!!!!!!
Sh|te :(
Who will come in on the bench lads? It’s probably between Fitzpatrick and Archer, with White an outside bet. Would any Ulster and Munster fans be willing to fill me in on their player form wise?
Will be much clearer for Deccie Fitzpatrick after the Leicester game. Looking forward to him putting in a big shift.
Surely he wont be playing though? Herbst has started all but one game this season. Why would Doak suddenly bring him in to play Tigers.
Off the bench….
“he’s damaged his *laburnum* now”
Interesting to hear that Moore has damaged a small tree!
no